As the Dragon Boat Festival draws near, the rivers and lakes of the Pearl River Delta are coming to life, with dragon boats emerging from their slumber to grace the water.

In Diejiao, Nanhai District, the dragon boats are slicing through the waves with vigor, while in Ronggui, Shunde District, they're competing for the title of "The Most Beautiful Boat."In terms of beauty and splendor, Ronggui's dragon boats are second to none," boasts a fervent dragon boat enthusiast.

This passionate fan is Yang Jinghe, a young inheritor of the ancient art of dragon boat carving. An award-winning designer, Yang has created numerous striking pieces and has been crafting dragon heads and boats for various communities for over a decade.

Upon entering Yang's workshop, visitors are immediately captivated by the vibrant colors and unique shapes of the dragon heads. Some are brilliantly colorful, evoking the image of a dragon piercing through flames; others are elegant and mysterious, with gemstones twinkling on an ivory backdrop; and some are fresh and minimalist, with lively pinks popping against a field of blue.

When asked about the uniqueness of his creations, Yang Jinghe explains, "In Ronggui, the traditional dragon boat is more than just a vessel; it's a grand form of performance art. While speed is paramount in other regions, leading to simpler designs and lighter boats, Ronggui's festival is all about the parade of dragons, with an emphasis on beauty and grandeur. The boats here are adorned with bright colors and gold, reflecting the community's festive spirit and commemorative ceremony."

Yang's designs not only incorporate elements from other cultures but also local characteristics. For instance, the dragon head named "Yan," inspired by the "Great Emperor Huaguang," a fire deity in Guangfu folklore, features a flame motif that resonates with a younger audience. Another example is the dragon head crafted for the Liu Rong Temple, which incorporates the banyan trees and water elements, reflecting the temple's history and the nearby "Shusheng Bridge," while maintaining an imperial and commanding presence with its black eyes and beard.

"Just look forward to our new dragon boats this Dragon Boat Festival," Yang Jinghe says with a smile.

Source：Yangcheng Evening News

Tiffany蓝+马卡龙粉、象牙白+五彩宝石......没想到龙舟还能这么“潮”

起龙、洗龙、练习、布置......连日的雨水正提醒着众人端午即将来临，珠江三角洲的河流湖泊又开始“翻腾”起来，一条条沉睡的龙舟再次浮出水面。

这厢，南海叠滘的龙舟正血脉偾张地漂移中，另一边，顺德容桂的龙舟正在争夺“选美冠军”的路上。“我敢说，要比美、比艳丽，容桂的龙舟绝对数一数二！”一位龙舟狂热爱好者自信地说道。

这位“狂热粉”是一位年轻的龙舟雕刻传承人杨敬和。他曾获设计奖，也产出过不少惊艳的作品，更是在十多年间持续为不同坊社制作龙头、龙舟。

走进杨敬和的工作室，人们立刻会被一只只龙头的颜色、造型吸引。它们有的鲜艳缤纷，如同一条勇猛地龙穿过一团火球；有的优雅神秘，在象牙白的皮肤上闪烁着宝石的光芒；有的新锐简洁，在大片蓝色块下跳跃着萌动的粉色。

当问到为何这些龙头会如此独特时，杨敬和说：“我愿称容桂传统龙舟是一项盛大的行为艺术。在很多地方龙舟是以追求速度为主，因而他们的龙舟装饰物会减少，更追求龙舟的轻便。而容桂的端午更多的是游龙、岸龙、夜龙活动，都以‘竞美’为主，追求足够的华丽和丰富，色彩鲜艳，金碧辉煌。”他认为最根本的原因是，这是一场祭祀纪念仪式，是对外展示的盛大庆祝节日。因此，龙舟设计越好看越受欢迎。

除了加入其他地方的元素，杨敬和会结合本土特色去做设计。比如像一团火焰的龙头“焱”，取自坊社里的“华光大帝”，传说他掌管火，所以用了火焰来设计龙头，风格上更偏向年轻人喜欢的审美。再比如为六榕古庙创造的龙头，因为古庙前身是榕树，而周边有一座非常有名的“树生桥”，因此用榕树的深绿和水波元素，以及帝王霸气的黑色眼神和黑胡须。

“这个端午，我们又会有新的龙舟面世，敬请期待！”杨敬和微笑着说。

文、图 | 记者 杨苑莹
翻译 | 史洋溢