Dragon Boat Festival

Today we went to FCC's annual Dragon Boat Festival. Officially falling on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the Dragon Boat Festival is also known as Double Fifth Day. While many stories regarding its origin abound, the most popular and widely accepted version involves Qu Yuan, a minister during the Warring States Period (475 - 221 BC). Qu Yuan served as minister to the Zhou Emperor. A wise and articulate man, he was loved by the common people. He did much to fight against the rampant corruption that plagued the court, thereby earning the envy and fear of other officials. So, when he urged the emperor to avoid conflict with the Qin Kingdom, the officials pressured the Emperor to have him removed from service.

In exile, Qu Yuan traveled, taught and wrote for several years. Hearing that the Zhou had been defeated by the Qin, he fell into despair and threw himself into the Milou River. Because he was so loved by the people, fishermen rushed out in long boats, beating drums to scare the fish away, and throwing zong zi into the water to feed braver fish so that they would not eat Qu Yuan's body. Some bedtime story, eh?

In modern times, Dragon Boat races are the most exciting part of the festival, drawing crowds of spectators. Dragon Boats are generally brightly painted and decorated canoes. Ranging anywhere from 40 to 100 feet in length, their heads are shaped like open-mouthed dragons, while the sterns end with a scaly tail. Depending on the length, up to 80 rowers can power the boat. A drummer and flag-catcher stand at the front of the boat. Before a dragon boat enters competition, it must be "brought to life" by painting the eyes in a sacred ceremony. Races can have any number of boats competing, with the winner being the first team to grab a flag at the end of the course. Annual races take place all over China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and other overseas Chinese communities.

For our celebration, each family crafts a Dragon Boat out of cardboard and decorates it any way they choose. The kids then participate in a Dragon Boat parade to show off their creations. There are games and activities, and then all the children sit in a large make-shift "dragon boat" while someone reads them the story of Qu Yuan. There is also judging of the dragon boats in several categories, and I'm pleased to announce that Elizabeth won her first medal ever for having "The Coolest Dragon." As you can see in the pictures, she was absolutely thrilled to have won. And I have to admit, it is a pretty splendid dragon.