Dragon Boat Racing has ancient Chinese origins and its history has been traced back to more than 2000 years. The first participants were superstitious Chinese villagers who celebrated the 5th day of the 5th lunar month of the Chinese calendar. Racing was held to avert misfortune and encourage the rains needed for prosperity and the object of their worship was the dragon.  The dragon of Asia has traditionally been a symbol of water. It is said to rule the rivers and seas and dominate the clouds and rains.  Deeply rooted in rich Chinese culture, the dragon symbolizes strength, prosperity and blessings.

The racing tradition paved the way for another legend that strengthened the sport of dragon boating; the touching saga of Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan was from the kingdom of Chu.  He was an ancient patriot-poet who lived around the 4th century. Qu Yuan was a minister who advocated reforms in his home state of Chu. The king refused to listen to Qu Yuan’s advice and instead banished him from the state of Chu. In exile, Qu Yuan wrote poetry expressing his concern for his country and people. When Qu Yuan heard that his home had been invaded, he drowned himself in the Milo River. The people of Chu rushed to the river to rescue him. Too late to save Qu Yuan, they splashed furiously and threw zung-ze, steamed rice wrapped in reed leaf, into the river to feed the fish so that they would not eat his body. To commemorate this sacrifice, the people began to organize Dragon Boat Races in his memory.

Since that time over 2000 years ago, Dragon Boat Racing has become a major part of Chinese culture, representing patriotism and group integrity.