Legend has it that more than 2,000 years ago in Ancient China, a well-loved poet and court minister, Qu Yuan, was banished from court by the emperor for advocating reform. Qu Yuan wandered the countryside in exile, writing poetry that reflected his concern for his country and his people. He ultimately threw himself into China's Mi Lo River in protest against government corruption.

Villagers raced out to the river to save him, but failed. In an effort to prevent his body from being eaten by fish, they beat drums and thrashed the water furiously with paddles. When they were unable to find Qu Yuan's body, they threw rice dumplings, wrapped in bamboo leaves, into the river as a sacrifice to his spirit.

Every year since, to symbolize the villagers' attempt to rescue Qu Yuan, Dragon Boat Festivals with races were held. The participants race in elaborately decorated boats about 39 feet long. Each boat carries a crew of 20 paddlers, with a drummer at the front and a steersperson at the back. The boats race to the finish line, urged on by the beat of the drums and the roar of the crowds.

Dragon boat races are packed with action, color and spirited competition, combining an exhilarating, fast-paced sporting event with ancient tradition. In the Chinese culture, dragons are strong, powerful, and frequently a symbol of spring rain and growth. Because they are also seen as protective and benevolent, dragon boat races are viewed as a means for spreading good luck.

Dragon boat racing is a rapidly developing world sport with the active involvement of almost 50 countries across five continents. Eastern European countries like Poland, Russia, the Czech Republic and Hungary have recently taken to dragon boat racing. While the sport continues to grow throughout North America, South American countries have also begun to show interest.

For more information on dragon boat and dragon boat festivals please visit the following sites:

Dragon Boat - Wikipedia	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_boat_racing
Dragon Boat Festival - Wikipedia	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Boat_Festival
Worldwide Dragon Boat Calendar	http://www.dragonboatcalendar.com
Please visit our Other Links page for information on the different national and international dragon boat federations.