Chaoshan dragon boat request on the traditional form of Chaoshan dragon boat race

There are many styles of dragon boats in Chaoshan. Regular dragon boats have a dragon head, a dragon neck and a dragon tail. The dragon body is semicircular, with length and width ranging from 1.4m to 1.6m, with different lengths. It can accommodate 12 pairs of paddles, 16 pairs of paddles, 32 pairs of paddles, and the longest can accommodate 52 pairs of paddles. Dragon boats are divided into dragon boats, Huanglong boats, Qinglong boats and Bailong boats. Oolong is a no-no, because it is prone to accidents and has historical lessons. The dragon body and abdomen are drawn according to the appearance of Lin Jia, and various colors are highlighted according to the types of red, yellow, blue and white dragons. Bright and bright colors, beautiful and dazzling patterns. Different colors of beards are hung on different dragon boats, and the signs are prominent.

After the dragon boat is launched, the dragon boats in each village should be rowed to Longwang Temple or other temples to worship the gods and pray for victory and good luck. Train before the dragon boat race. During the competition, strong paddlers sit on both sides, with a drummer in the middle and a gong player in front. Some places are looking for a boy aged around 10 to 12. Generally speaking, they are all children of local rich people and are very beautiful. They are decorated by little knights, wearing headscarves, belts, leggings and powder. They were dressed in gorgeous silk clothes and lying on the dragon's neck. During the competition, they shook the small sunflower fan in their right hand and blew the whistle according to the rhythm of gongs and drums. Before the game started, the child was surrounded by a large group of boys and girls like an opera star. Boat capsizing happens from time to time in dragon boat races. Children should wear lifebuoys and be protected by the foremost rowers.

As the saying goes, "Chaoshan people have no face to lose." The dragon boat race was held in a very intense atmosphere. The athletes on board tried their best to paddle for the battle, and the audience on the shore cheered for the dragon boat in their village. After several rounds of competition, the winner won the flag, performed and held a banquet to celebrate.

The dragon boat race in Chaoshan has a long history. At the end of the Qing Dynasty, when Ding Richang, the governor of Fujian Province (originally from Qingxian County) settled in Rongcheng, Jieyang, he invited some dragon boats from Jieyang, Chaoyang and Puning counties to gather in Rongjiang for a race. The Red Dragon of Mianshu Village in Jieyang won the championship and won the banner of "Ding Shangqin".

In addition to modeling according to people's imagination, there is also a dragon boat modified from a small wooden boat that digs mud or carries things. It's called "painting trough" or "headless mortar", short and wide, with no dragon head and tail, and the ship's side is simply painted.

Not that attractive. The colorful dragon boats in Raoping and South Australia were temporarily decorated with colorful five-bellied cargo ships, with special faucets and paddles. Although the speed is a bit slow, it has a different scenery and is welcomed by local people.