Dragon Boat Race

（Learn to spread China and Chinese cuIture in EngIish）

Dragon boat race is one of the important activities of the Dragon Boat Festival,also a traditional Chinese folk water sport and entertainment project. It is the time-honored sport of paddling “long wooden boats” and a collective rowing competition,in which competing teams row their colorful dragon boats forward to a drumbeat racing to reach the finish end first. For local residents, heading out for the dragon boat race is not about vying for titles, but about entering into the spirit of the festival. The dragon boat race is as important to China's cultural heritage as the celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival.

As a major convention in the Festival, dragon boat race first appeared in the Warring States Period. At that time, it was only a sacrificial activity. Among the rapid drum, the dragon-like canoes crossed the river like hot cakes, not only entertaining the gods but also bringing pleasure for people. Later people held dragon boat race to memorialize the poet Qu Yuan who drowned himself in a river. Now the dragon boat race also spreads to Japan, Vietnam and Britain. In 1980, dragon boat race was included in the Chinese national sports events. “Qu Yuan Cup” dragon boat race is held every year in Qu Yuan's second home, Yueyang, Hunan Province.

In the modern time, dragon boat race carries lots of significance. It helps cultivate the decision-making and awareness, strengthen mutual cooperation and team spirit; it gives full play to the role of the individual and strengthens the overall sense of honor. 赛龙舟

赛龙舟是端午节的重要活动之一，也是中国传统的民间水上运动和娱乐项目。这是一项由来已久的划“长木船”的运动，也是一项集体划船比赛，参赛队伍在鼓声中向前划动五颜六色的龙舟，看谁首先到达终点。对当地居民来说，参加龙舟赛不是为了争夺冠军，而是为了融入节日的气氛。龙舟赛对中国文化遗产的重要性不亚于庆祝端午节。

龙舟赛作为端午节的主要习俗，最早出现在战国时期。当时，这只是一种祭祀活动。就像祭祀用的热气腾腾的糕点一样，在疾驰的鼓声中，龙一样的独木舟，不仅娱神，也给人们带来欢乐。后来，人们举行龙舟赛来纪念投河自尽的诗人屈原。现在，龙舟赛已传播到日本、越南和英国。1980年，龙舟赛被列入中国国家体育赛事。“屈原杯”龙舟赛每年都在屈原的第二故乡湖南岳阳举行。

在现代，龙舟赛具有许多重要意义。有助于培养决策和意识，加强相互合作和团队精神；充分发挥个人作用，增强集体荣誉感。

声明：文中的英文取材于孙立新主编、中国海洋大学出版社出版的《中国文化要览》。著作权属于原作者，本资料室借用相关英文材料，旨在促进中国文化的宣传和普及。如有侵权，联系删除。