🐉 Dragon Boat Festival – 龙舟节 Lóngzhōu Jié
🐉 Dragon Boat Festival – 龙舟节 Lóngzhōu Jié Dragon boat racing (龙舟 Lóngzhōu) has been a vibrant part of Chinese tradition for over 2,000 years . Originally rooted in ancient customs and legends—most famously the story of the poet Qu Yuan —it has evolved into an exciting modern sport celebrated both in China and around the world. In 1976 , dragon boat racing became an international competitive sport , with the first modern race held in Hong Kong . 龙 Lóng = dragon 舟 Zhōu = Boat 节 Jié = Festival 🚣♂️ Dragon Boats Today Modern dragon boats are usually made of carbon fiber, fiberglass , or other lightweight materials to ensure speed and agility on the water. During competitions, the boats are decorated with elaborate dragon heads and tails , and a large drum sits at the front. The drummer not only sets the rhythm but also energizes the team. During training, the decorations are often removed, but the drum remains for practice. 🛶 Team Composition Standard boat : 18...