Dragon boat racing began over 2,300 years ago on the banks of the life-sustaining rivers in the valleys of Southern China as a fertility rite performed to ensure bountiful crops. The race was held to avert misfortune and to encourage the rains needed for prosperity; it was also an occasion of sacrifice to the villagers’ water deity, the Dragon.
The most venerated of the Chinese zodiac figures, the Dragon of China is a beneficent creature, unlike its European counterpart. It has traditionally been a symbol of water and prosperity and is said to rule the rivers and the seas and dominate the clouds and rains. The first races were held as mock dragon battles staged to awaken the hibernating heavenly Dragon to bring the people the necessary rain for a copious harvest.
Over the centuries a second story was integrated to give the celebration a dual meaning. Chinese history describes the fourth century BC as the Warring States Period; it was a time of shifting alliances and much treachery. In a kingdom called “Chu”, there lived a great patriot and poet by the name of Qu Yuan who was beloved by the people. He championed political reform and truth and was therefore banished from the kingdom by the king who had fallen under the influence of the corrupt ministries. Wandering the countryside, Qu Yuan composed some of China’s greatest poetry expressing his fervent love for his country and his deep concern for her future. When the Chu kingdom was overtaken and ruined at the hands of a rival kingdom, Qu Yuan leaped into the Mi Lo River holding a big rock in a display of his heartfelt sorrow.
Upon learning of Qu Yuan’s death, the people raced to the river in their fish boats in a vain attempt to save him. They beat on drums and splashed the water with their oars trying to keep the fish away from his body. The re-enactment of the villagers racing out to save Qu Yuan is dragon boat racing today.
Modern Dragon Boat Racing
Dragon Boat racing is fast becoming a global phenomenom. It is an annual event held in over 45 countries around the world. Traditionally it is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, but today most races are held between May and October. Today, dragon boat racing clubs and associations can be found in such countries as China, the Phillipines, Australia, Germany, Canada, Holland, New Zealand, the US and England. In North America, there are over a hundred dragon boat clubs and associations. The global dragon boat community is working to become an exhibition sport at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.