Exciting Dragon Boat Race in China

May 8, 2009 - PRLog -- Dragon Boat - A dragon boat or "dragonboat" is a very long and narrow, canoe style human-powered boat now used in the team paddling sport of dragon boat racing which originated in China over 2000 years ago. 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.

Dragon boat race has taken place annually for more than 20 centuries as part of folk ritual.
The competition is traditionally held as part of the annual Duanwu Festival observance in China. Today, annual dragon boat races take place in many areas of east Asia with significant populations of ethnic Chinese living there e.g. Singapore, Malaysia, and Greater China. Dragon Boat Festival or Duanwu, referred to as the 'double fifth', is the term that has become internationally known in the West.

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