The Dragon Boat Festival is an ancient Chinese celebration that has been around for more than two thousand years. It is based on a legend involving a mythical dragon, believed to be the ruler of rivers, lakes and seas. This festival is celebrated to protect people from disease and to promote rainfall, which is necessary for the fertility of crops and the prosperity of people. The Chinese refer to themselves as “dragons” due to their spirit of strength and vitality.
This is why dragon boat racing has become an important part of Chinese culture, representing patriotism and group integrity. The Regina Dragon Boat Festival, held annually, is a favorite event for rowers, residents and visitors across Canada. Dragon boats are canoe-type boats powered by humans; they were first manufactured in the province of Guangdong, in southern China. Each ship has a dragon's head carved with ornaments on the bow and a tail on the stern. During the Dragon Boat Festival, Chinese people place sagebrush and calamus leaves on doors or windows to repel insects, flies, fleas and moths from the house. The Dragon Boat Festival commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a patriot poet during the Warring States period (475-221 BC).
He committed suicide by throwing himself into the Miluo River, in Hunan province, after his native kingdom fell under enemy rule. Dragon boat racing has become an international sport in modern times, starting in Hong Kong in 1976. It's said that you'll be lucky next year if you can keep an egg upright during the Dragon Boat Festival. The Dragon Boat Festival (Duan Wu Jie) is also known as Duan Yang, which means “vertical sun” or “double fifth”.The story of dragon ships evolved over the years and involved the famous poet Qu Yuan, who threw himself into the Miluo River after being framed and realizing that his homeland was damaged. Dragon boats come in several sizes, but the most popular boats in the UK are those with teams consisting of 10 rowers and 1 drummer (30) or 20 rowers and 1 drummer (40). The Zongzi tradition reminds us of village fishermen who spread rice through the waters of the Mi Luo River to appease the dragons of the river and prevent them from devouring Qu Yuan. The significance of dragons in dragon boating is deeply embedded in Chinese culture.
Dragons are seen as powerful symbols of strength and vitality, worthy of honor. The annual celebration is intended to protect people from disease and promote rainfall for crop fertility and prosperity. Dragon boat racing has become an important part of Chinese culture, representing patriotism and group integrity. Dragon boat racing has also become an international sport in modern times. The Regina Dragon Boat Festival is a favorite event for rowers, residents and visitors across Canada.
During this festival, Chinese people place sagebrush and calamus leaves on doors or windows to repel insects, flies, fleas and moths from the house. The Zongzi tradition reminds us of village fishermen who spread rice through the waters of the Mi Luo River to appease the dragons of the river and prevent them from devouring Qu Yuan. It's said that you'll be lucky next year if you can keep an egg upright during the Dragon Boat Festival.
