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Legend has it that more than 2,000 years ago, a well-loved poet and court minister, Qu Yuan, was banished from court by the emperor for advocating reform. Qu Yuan wandered the countryside in exile, writing poetry that reflected his concern for his country and his people. He ultimately threw himself into China's Mi Lo River in protest against government corruption.
Villagers raced out to the river to save him, but failed. To prevent his body from being eaten by fish, they beat drums and thrashed the water furiously with their paddles. When they were unable to find Qu Yuan's body, they threw rice dumplings, wrapped in bamboo leaves, into the river as a sacrifice to his spirit.
Every year since, to symbolize the villagers' attempt to rescue Qu Yuan, participants in the Dragon Boat Festival race in elaborately decorated boats about 39 feet long. Each boat carries a crew of 20 paddlers, with a drummer at the front and a steersman at the back. The boats race to the finish line, urged on by the beat of the drums and the roar of the crowds.
Dragon boat races are packed with action, color and spirited competition, combining an exhilarating, fast-paced sporting event with ancient tradition. In Chinese culture, dragons are strong, powerful and frequently a symbol of spring rain and growth. Because they are also seen as protective and benevolent, dragon boat races are viewed as a means for spreading good luck.
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