The first theory is that dragon boat racing
came into being as part of an annual ceremony performed by agrarian
farmers along the banks of China's rivers. Each spring peasant
farmers would vernerate the dragon
diety that was believed to govern the waters upon which these
peasants depended on for sustenance. They invented dragon boat
racing as a means to bring down blessings needed to sustain life.
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Another theory is that dragon boat racing began with the ritual
suicide of the political leader and poet Qu Yuan (Ch'u Yuen). Qu
Yuan lived during China's Warring States Period (475-221 BC) and was
a minister of the state of Chu, which was overpowered by the Chin state
despite his best efforts to thwart these advances. Out of a spirit
of patriotism and lamentation, Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River
in the year 278 BC by holding onto a great rock. When the people
saw him plunge into the river, they ran for their boats in an attempt to
save his life. Not able to find him, the peasants proceded to pound
their oars on the surface of the water in hopes of warding off the fish
and evil spirits that they believed were overcoming him, and in an effort
to call upon the saving powers of the great water dragon diety. Qu
Yuan died, but the ceremonial efforts to save his life continue today. The
Duan Wu Jie (Dragon Boat Festival) that is held each year in China as
a national celebration that includes dragon boat racing is a complete
celebration of the famed patriot Qu Yuan. |
