Theme Interpretation of the Custom of "Dragon Boat Race" on the Dragon Boat Festival

During the Dragon Boat Festival, dragon boat races are held in many parts of the country. Dragon boats are generally long and narrow, with a dragon head and a dragon tail at the stern. The colors of the faucet are red, black and gray, which are similar to the head of the dragon lantern and have different postures. Generally, it is wood carving and painting (also made of paper or yarn). The dragon tail is mostly carved from whole wood and scales. In addition to the dragon head and tail, the dragon boat is decorated with gongs and drums, flags or hull paintings. For example, the dragon boat in Shunde, Guangdong Province is decorated with dragon cards, dragon tail flags and handsome flags, embroidered with couplets, flowers and plants, embroidered with patterns such as dragon wind and eight immortals. Generally, dragon boats don't have that much decoration, they are all decorated with pennants and hanging colors.

The origin of the dragon boat varies from place to place. Jiaxing Dragon Boat Race with a long history is said to have originated from activities commemorating Wu Zixu in the Spring and Autumn Period. In Miluo City, Hunan Province, before the dragon boat race, you should go to Quzi Temple to worship the dragon head, put red cloth on the dragon head, and then race the boat, which is not only to worship the dragon god, but also to commemorate Qu Yuan. In Zigui, Hubei, Qu Yuan's hometown, there is also a ceremony to worship Qu Yuan. Another example is Zhejiang, where they commemorate Cao E with dragon boat races.