World of Cultures: The Legend of the Chinese Dragon Day

Come and learn about the legend of the Chinese Dragon Boat Day through visual displays, dance/performances, face painting and enjoyment of traditional rice dumplings.

The Chinese Dragon Day is an annual Chinese holiday that commemorates the death of the famous poet and government official Qu Yuan in 277BC. The story goes that Qu Yuan was a widely respected man who had fell into disfavour with the emperor's court. In a sad tale, Qu Yuan threw himself into the Miluo River. Because of their admiration and love for him, the people heroically rushed to his aid in riverboats. Rice dumplings were thrown into the water to appease the river dragons. Eventually, the search ended and they could not find the body of Qu Yuan.

Nowadays people commemorate Qu Yuan and the actions of all that searched for him with dragon boat racing, eating rice dumpling and drinking Realgar wine during a national Chinese holiday that takes place on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar.

For World of Cultures, we welcome all to come and learn more about the legend behind the Chinese Dragon Day.

Presented by: Balmoral Chinese Business Association

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