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Qu Yuan died some 2,300 years ago by drowning himself in the Miluo River after he learned that the rival state of Qin had defeated his beloved Chu. Qu Yuan’s death was commemorated by holding annual dragon boat races. The Dragon Boat Festival evolved from these annual events and eventually spread across China, mainly in the south, and subsequently to other areas in Southeast Asia.

Chinese dragon boat racing is much older than the Ancient Olympic Games held in Greece. In its modern incarnation, it has one major difference from the Greek Olympics. Unlike those games, which celebrated the power and fighting abilities of the warrior class, traditional dragon boat festivals celebrate the sacrifice of Qu Yuan. Ever since his death, racing dragon boats has been a community activity with mass participation to remember his ultimate sacrifice.

The roots of the modern sport of dragon boat racing are also found in southern China and the fishing communities of Hong Kong. “Racing the Dragon” is part of their social life and the skills and traditions of dragon boat racing have been passed on, over hundreds of years, from one generation to the next.