Rolling lamp, a form of ancient folk acrobatics, is popular in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai. It has a history of nearly 1,000 years. It thrived most in Taicang in the past. The best known player was Qian’s rolling lamp theatrical troupe, from Qingyang village, Zhitang town.

According to local folk legends, rolling lamp originated in the Northern Song Dynasty. At first, it was played as a prelude to the dragon lantern dance to clear the way. Later, it developed into an independent folk entertainment genre. Rolling lamp is played at traditional festivals, temple fairs, and celebration ceremonies. The summit of rolling lamp performances comes in January and February of the lunar calendar. Throughout history, Taicang was often invaded and harassed by Japanese pirates. Civil corps were formed to resist them. These corps advocated muscularity and often played rolling lamp to build up bodies, adding fuel to the prevalence of rolling lamps in Taicang.

In modern times, rolling lamp is no longer confined to performances, but applied as a competitive sports game. Before the founding of the PRC, Taicang used to organize a rolling lamp competition every year. A number of teams would participate in the competition and try to win the game by grabbing the rolling lamp off the opponents.

The prop, a lamp, was made of two bamboo balls. A small ball covered with colored cloth was placed inside a big ball. The small ball was connected to the big ball with a rotating ring device. A lit candle can be put inside the small ball and no matter how the external ball rolls, the candle inside would remain horizontal. The inner ball was decorated with small brass bells. When the external ball is rolled, the inner ball glitters with candlelight and tinkles.

The rolling lamp is played by men. According to research, there are at least 30 types of moves in the rolling lamp dance, such as “carp rolling in waterweeds” and “white crane laying eggs”. The performers put up all kinds of poses and play various moves.

Their performances are sometimes soft and elegant, sometimes agile and thrilling, but never fail to attract the audience’s attention. It calls for great skills to perform the rolling lamp, as it drains physical strength and integrates breathtaking and ingenious elements of acrobatics and dances. It is a unity of strength and skills, vigor and flexibility. It combines competitiveness and artistic qualities, and embodies the bravery and fortitude of southern Jiangsu people. Rolling lamp helps to build up the body, foster cooperation and bravery, and enrich people’s cultural life. It is an important ingredient of a harmonious society.