The most basic lion dance team has 5 people:
- 2 members for the lion
- 1 drummer
- 1 gong player
- 1 symbol player
There is an optional 6th or even 7th member referred to as a 'funny person', 'laughing Buddha' or 'big headed Buddha'. The Buddhas (or 'daai fut') wear a painted full-head mask with a large smile and either a traditional kung fu uniform or a monk's robe. They can also have a pillow is under their clothes to give them a Buddha-like pot belly. Their job is to interact with the crowd and tease the lion with a fan or a ball.