Zhao Xuelin

01 · Lineage & Regional School

Zhao Xuelin, Male, Han, from Minxing, Shanghai, is a sixth-batch national representative bearer of Lion Dance (Ⅲ-5). The tradition is documented in Minxing, Shanghai. Within the regional tradition and school record of Lion Dance in Minxing, Shanghai: The Maqiao 'hand lion dance', also called the 'hand-held lion dance' and popularly known as 'diao shizi' or 'shizi deng', is transmitted mainly in the Maqiao Town area. For nearly a hundred years it has been one of the main seasonal and festival custom dances of the locality. The Maqiao 'hand lion dance', also called the 'hand-held lion dance' and popularly known as 'diao shizi' (playing the lion) or 'shizi deng' (lion lantern), is transmitted mainly in the Maqiao Town area of Minhang District, Shanghai, and for nearly a hundred years has been one of the main seasonal and festival custom dances of the locality. In the old days the streets and lanes of the Maqiao area were narrow with low eaves on both sides, so during street processions the raised lion lanterns were very likely to collide; the artists therefore created lateral movement, forward advance and close circling of the lion based on a 'low crouching step', so that the hand lion dance could keep up a lively scene even in a limited space. This environmental constraint instead shaped a style of its own that distinguishes it from other lion dances.

02 · Mastery & Signature Works

The bearer record for Zhao Xuelin is anchored in the documented technical standards of Lion Dance in Minxing, Shanghai. Within the documented technical tradition of Lion Dance in Minxing, Shanghai: The performance of the hand lion dance differs greatly from other lion dances: the lions are carried in the hands of the dancers, each performing a lion made of woven bamboo strips and covered with paper. The lion props come in different sizes. A large lion is danced by two people; a medium or small lion is danced by one person. In performance the usual combination is one large lion, four medium lions and two small lions. The hand lion dance integrates lantern craft, dance and other folk arts into one and is highly technical. The hand lion dance of the Maqiao area draws both on the basic techniques of the dragon dance, such as tumbling, coiling and pouncing to the ground, and inherits and borrows from the bold, valiant performance style that balances strength and gentleness in other lion dances. In the old days, in order to suit the performance environment of narrow streets and lanes with low eaves on both sides, the hand lion dance formed for street processions movements distinctive in style of their own, based on the 'low crouching step' — lateral movement, forward advance and close circling of the lion — so as to avoid collisions. Because the hand lion dance presents a lively scene, full of the atmosphere of self-entertainment and amusement and with the festive, auspicious artistic appeal of harmony and peace, it is deeply loved by the people. Representative repertoire, works and technical entries recorded for the project include: "Hand-held bamboo and paper lion lanterns": Its chief difference from other lion dances: performers each hold a bamboo-and-paper lion lantern rather than wearing a skin, making it both lantern craft and dance. "The low crouch step": The style formed for narrow streets and low eaves, based on a low crouching step with lateral shifting, direct advance and close-body circling. "One great, four medium, two small lions": Its customary line-up: one great lion danced by two men, four medium and two small lions danced by one each. "Eight expressive actions": The series of actions expressing the lion's joy and sorrow; mastery of them all marks the completeness of the inheritor Sun Bingxiang's art.

03 · Transmission & Safeguarding Status

In 2025, Zhao Xuelin was announced in the sixth batch of national representative bearers for Lion Dance, with Minxing, Shanghai as the declared area. Within the documented safeguarding record of Lion Dance in Minxing, Shanghai: The project was inscribed in the national inventory in 2011 (batch 3), with Minxing, Shanghai as its declared area, and Shanghai Minxing District Maqiao Town Culture Sports Shiye Development Center as its safeguarding unit. Since the project was inscribed in the national inventory, its declared area and safeguarding unit have carried out documentation, transmission and presentation within the national safeguarding framework. Together, the inventory record and the project archive form the public documentary basis for the bearer’s transmission practice.

04 · Associated Heritage Item Dossier

05 · Fellow National Bearers Lineage

National representative bearers recorded under the same item code, ordered from the first to the sixth batch. Batch order is not a teacher–student relationship.

06 · Archival Sources & Bibliography

1. Zhaoxuelin (Minxing, Shanghai) · China ICH Official Project Archive
2. Zhaoxuelin · China ICH Official Archive