Dragon Boat racing is a long standing Chinese Tradition that has developed into a fast and furious water sport around the world. In Australia it is the
fastest growing water sport with 22 people required to propel a boat from start to finish.
Its origins stems back 2000 years to the rivers of Southern China as a fertility rite to ensure plentiful crops. The race was traditionally held on the
fifth day of the fifth lunar month of the Chinese Calendar to encourage rains for prosperity. The dragon, the symbol of water was their object of worship. It
is said to rule the waterways and dominate rain making.
From this tradition emerged another legend integrating the sport of Dragon Boating with Chinese history. This is the story of Qu Yuan.
Qu Yuan was a great patriot and poet who resided in a Kingdom called Chu during the fourth century BC. This was a time when corruption and treachery was
dominant, this period is often referred to as the Warring States Period. Qu Yuan, a loyal counsellor is well remembered for his strength in championing
political reform under a Kingdom which had fallen prey to corrupt ministers. He was banished from the Kingdom as a result.
Left to ponder the future of his Kingdom, Qu Yuan proceeded to compose some of Chinas most revered poetry expressing his love and concern for the world he
knew. As the Kingdom fell into the hands of the corrupt rival Kingdom, Qu Yuan in despair threw himself into the Mi Lo River holding a great rock in a display
of heartfelt sorrow.
Upon seeing this, the people who admired and respected Qu Yuan’s strength took to the river with their fishing boats in an attempt to save him. They beat
their drums and splashed their oars to keep fish and water dragons away from Qu Yuans body. To honour his soul and to ensure it didn’t go hungry they scattered
rice into the water.
Today, Dragon Boat regattas around the world still honour the historical legend surrounding this highly competitive sport with a ceremony entitled
‘Awakening the Dragon’. This ceremony involves the dotting of the eyes on the dragon head to awaken it from its slumber.
fastest growing water sport with 22 people required to propel a boat from start to finish.
Its origins stems back 2000 years to the rivers of Southern China as a fertility rite to ensure plentiful crops. The race was traditionally held on the
fifth day of the fifth lunar month of the Chinese Calendar to encourage rains for prosperity. The dragon, the symbol of water was their object of worship. It
is said to rule the waterways and dominate rain making.
From this tradition emerged another legend integrating the sport of Dragon Boating with Chinese history. This is the story of Qu Yuan.
Qu Yuan was a great patriot and poet who resided in a Kingdom called Chu during the fourth century BC. This was a time when corruption and treachery was
dominant, this period is often referred to as the Warring States Period. Qu Yuan, a loyal counsellor is well remembered for his strength in championing
political reform under a Kingdom which had fallen prey to corrupt ministers. He was banished from the Kingdom as a result.
Left to ponder the future of his Kingdom, Qu Yuan proceeded to compose some of Chinas most revered poetry expressing his love and concern for the world he
knew. As the Kingdom fell into the hands of the corrupt rival Kingdom, Qu Yuan in despair threw himself into the Mi Lo River holding a great rock in a display
of heartfelt sorrow.
Upon seeing this, the people who admired and respected Qu Yuan’s strength took to the river with their fishing boats in an attempt to save him. They beat
their drums and splashed their oars to keep fish and water dragons away from Qu Yuans body. To honour his soul and to ensure it didn’t go hungry they scattered
rice into the water.
Today, Dragon Boat regattas around the world still honour the historical legend surrounding this highly competitive sport with a ceremony entitled
‘Awakening the Dragon’. This ceremony involves the dotting of the eyes on the dragon head to awaken it from its slumber.