8 Types of Lion Dance Colours and Their Meanings: Which Lion Is Right for Your Event?

8 Common Types of Lion Dance Colours

🔴 Red Lion - The Classic Symbol of Good Fortune

Best for: Grand openings, weddings, birthdays, festive events

Red is the most common lion colour - and with good reason. It symbolises happiness, prosperity, and vitality. If you're looking for luck, celebration, and positive energy, red is always a safe and joyful choice.

You'll see red lions most often during Chinese New Year, store launches, and family celebrations. In fact, many businesses request red lions for their opening because it brings the boldest "Huat" vibes.

🟡 Gold or Yellow Lion - Wealth and Power

Best for: Business launches, corporate anniversaries, milestone celebrations

Gold (and sometimes yellow) lions symbolise wealth, authority, and success. They're often paired with red to double the blessings: prosperity from gold, and joy from red.

Planning a high-profile opening or celebrating a company milestone? A golden lion is the power move. It shows ambition and a desire for long-term abundance.

⚫ Black Lion - Courage, Strength, and Protection

Best for: Martial arts schools, cultural performances, formal ceremonies

The black lion has a fierce and commanding presence. It's not as commonly seen in commercial events but is deeply respected. Traditionally, black lions represent strength, boldness, and fearlessness.

Black lions are often used in Southern lion dance styles, especially in martial arts schools or during formal rituals where protection and discipline are the focus.

🟢 Green Lion - Youth, Growth, and Fresh Beginnings

Best for: New startups, eco-businesses, modern or youth-centric brands

Green is associated with renewal, life and new energy. It's less traditional but growing in popularity, especially for businesses that want to reflect innovation, sustainability or a fresh brand image.

Green lions are a hit with younger audiences and give off a modern, playful twist on a cultural classic.

🩷 Pink Lion - Joy, Celebration, and Modern Appeal

Best for: Children’s events, weddings, modern brands, lifestyle launches and gender reveal party.

Pink lions aren’t traditional, but they’ve become popular for their light-hearted, joyful, and modern aesthetic. Symbolising love, youth, and celebration, pink lions are often used in events that are less formal but highly festive - like birthday parties, product launches for lifestyle or fashion brands, or even fun weddings.

They’re especially popular with young audiences or companies targeting a vibrant, creative crowd.

🔵 Blue Lion - Wisdom, Calm Energy, and Trust

Best for: Corporate events, formal openings, educational institutions and gender reveal party.

Blue lions carry a cool, calm, and confident vibe. They’re often used in events where you want to project professionalism, wisdom, or even innovation. Think tech startups, finance companies, or educational centres.

Blue is also associated with stability and loyalty, making it a good fit for serious brands looking to convey long-term vision and trust.

🟠 Orange Lion - Enthusiasm, Creativity, and Ambition

Best for: Creative launches, media events, energetic brands

Orange lions are rare but unforgettable. They bring bold energy, high visibility, and strong creative vibes. Perfect for media campaigns, product reveals, or creative business launches, the orange lion signals ambition and originality.

If your brand is all about standing out and doing things differently, an orange lion makes a strong statement.

⚪ White Lion - Purity and Mourning

Best for: Memorial events, remembrance ceremonies (rarely used)

In Chinese tradition, white is associated with mourning, not celebration. White lions are rarely used for lion dance performances unless for specific spiritual or memorial purposes. They are treated with reverence and usually not featured in festive or commercial contexts.

Bonus: Mixed Colours and Custom Lions

Some lion troupes offer custom colour combinations - like blue and silver, purple and gold, or even neon styles for night events or modern branding.

These are often requested for branding purposes, where the lion colours reflect a company's logo or theme. It's a great way to add a personal touch while still respecting the tradition.

Quick Tip: Match the Lion to Your Event's Intention or Branding

While you can't go wrong with red and gold, think about the vibe and goal of your event:

• Launching a new eco-friendly brand? Try a green lion.
• Want to honour elders or heritage? A classic black or red lion fits.
• Looking for a bold entrance with high luck value? Go red and gold combo.

And always talk to your lion dance troupe - they'll guide you based on what's culturally appropriate and meaningful for your specific event.

Want to enhance your celebrations even further? Check out these resources for more inspiration:

• Top 12 Lion Dance Troupe in Singapore
• How Much Should You Pay For a Lion Dance Performance in Singapore?

Planning an Event? Let the Lions Roar in Your Favour

At Lion Dance Singapore, we offer a wide range of lion dance colours and styles, each performed with precision, energy and respect for tradition.

Whether you're planning a business launch, a wedding, or a cultural showcase, our team can help you choose the right lion with the right meaning for your big day.