The legend of Qu Yuan, the poet/philosopher and his political protest against a corrupt regime remains an important celebration in Chinese culture, and has become a world-wide sporting event.

In the fourth century B.C., China was under political and military strife. This era is also known as the Warring States period. Qu Yuan, disgruntled with the ruler and the state of affairs, protested against the regime by jumping into the Mei Lo River. According to legend, local fishermen, upon seeing their beloved poet’s act of courage, raced out with their boats in an attempt to save him. To their dismay, they arrived too late. To prevent his body from being eaten by the fish, they beat the waters furiously with their paddles and threw rice dumplings wrapped in silk into the river to distract the fish.

The re-enactment of the villagers racing out to save Qu Yuan has become today’s dragon boat race festival.

Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, dragon boat racing is not only one of the most important Chinese traditions second to Chinese New Year, but now is an annual event held in over 40 countries. All around the world, people have embraced this water sport and formed dragon boat racing clubs in their own countries.

Before the festival can begin the dragons must be awakened and blessed by Taoist priests. The Goddess of the Sea, the Saints and the Immortals are awakened through chanting, invocation and the burning of joss sticks to cleanse and bless the arena of competition, the competitors and their boats, and to charge the boats and their crews with the strength of the dragon. According to ancient Chinese dragon mythology the Dragon sleeps in the mountains and travels to the water when it is awakened.

Guest dignitaries assist in this rite by dabbing the eyes of the boat’s dragon heads. The dragon boats are decorated with red ribbons that signify good fortune, smooth sailing and blessings for the crew.