The "Dragon boat raising" ceremony is one of the significant rituals in dragon boat activities. After being dormant for a year, the dragon boat lacks vitality even after the "awakening" ceremony. It needs to be "roused" to embrace this year's dragon boat activities in the best state. This is known as the "dragon boat raising" ceremony.

On the afternoon of June 1st, the annual "dragon boat raising" ceremony was held in Shipai Village, Tianhe District, Guangzhou.

The dragon boat awakens: festive and vibrant

At 2:00 p.m., the ceremony officially commenced. Villagers, carrying dragon heads, dragon tails, bronze gongs, umbrellas, and colorful flags, set off spiritedly towards the Shipai Xinyong River, the Pearl River New Town. Six dragon boats were already docked on the water.

The villagers install the dragon head and tail adorned with red silk balls onto the boat, symbolizing good fortune ahead. Drums are set up, and various colorful umbrellas, flags, and decorative banners are inserted into the dragon boat, instantly imbuing it with a spirited and majestic aura. Additionally, things representing abundant harvests and favorable weather, such as green seedlings, are placed at the bow and stern of the boat, expressing hopeful wishes for prosperity.

With the resounding beats of drums and the crackling of firecrackers, the once dormant dragon boats awakened. Following this, they set off towards the Pearl River Estuary to welcome two new dragon boats "back home." Before long, a total of eight dragon boats congregated on the waterway. The riverbanks were packed with people, creating a bustling atmosphere with the mingling sounds of firecrackers, drums, and cheering.

Mr. Pan, an overseas Chinese who returned by plane for the festival, expressed, "The lively scenes of the Dragon Boat Festival resonate more deeply in my heart than even the Spring Festival. Dragon boat culture has been ingrained in my DNA since childhood, and no other festival can draw us from all corners of the world like this. Whenever the dragon boat drums beat, I make sure to return to take part."

Three generations continues the inheritance

This year's "dragon boat raising" ceremony coincided with Children's Day on June 1st. The dragon boats were filled with children dressed in mini dragon boat attire. Accompanied by their elders, they enthusiastically participated in drumming, waving flags, and rowing, thoroughly enjoying themselves. Among these children, the youngest was only six years old. Amidst the splashes of water, they created a harmonious scene of passing down the dragon boat culture.

Knowing he could participate in paddling the dragon boat, little Chi Ruiyang eagerly tagged along with his father from the ancestral hall to the waterway, clutching his small wooden paddle. He couldn't wait to get on board, exclaiming, "When I grow up, I want to paddle the dragon boat too!"

It is reported that nearly 600 people participated in this year's "dragon boat paddling" activity. Among them were rowers with nearly 50 years of experience in dragon boating, as well as a younger generation deeply influenced by the local dragon boat culture, sharing a strong affection for it. Despite differences in age, their shared passion for dragon boat culture brought them together on this special day. Three generations of families gathered on a single boat, injecting new vitality into this traditional folk activity. Countless young generations found a sense of belonging, identity, and pride by attending this traditional cultural activity.

Source: Yangcheng Evening News

龙船“苏醒” 精神抖擞！广州天河石牌村举行龙船采青仪式

采青是龙船活动的重要仪式之一，沉睡了一年的龙船经“起龙”仪式后仍缺点“灵气”，这时便需要“醒一醒”，让其抖擞精神，以最好的精神面貌迎接今年的龙舟活动，这个仪式便是“采青”。

6月1日下午，广州市天河区石牌村举行一年一度的龙船采青仪式。

龙船苏醒，热闹非凡

下午2时，仪式正式开始。村民们扛着龙头、龙尾、神斗、铜锣、罗伞、百足旗等，神采奕奕地向珠江新城石牌新涌出发。6条龙船已经停靠在涌面上等待。

只见村民们将扎着红绸球的龙头、龙尾安装至船身，寓意鸿运当头；架好锣鼓，将各色罗伞、百足旗、神斗依次插在龙船上，装备齐全的龙船瞬间精神抖擞、威风凛凛。大家还将寓意五谷丰登、风调雨顺的青绿禾苗摆放在船头船尾，寄托美好祈愿。

现场，锣鼓声响、鞭炮齐鸣，“沉睡”的龙船彻底醒过来了。随后，他们出发前往珠江口，迎接2艘新龙船“回家”。不一会儿，8条龙船齐聚河涌上。岸边人山人海，鞭炮声、锣鼓声、加油声交织成一片，热闹非凡。

打“飞的”回来过节的华侨潘先生表示：“端午节的热闹景象在我心中更胜春节，龙船文化从小刻在我的DNA中，没有哪个节日能让我们大家从五湖四海赶来。只要龙船鼓一响，我都会回来参加。”

三代同舟，赓续“船”承

今年的采青活动恰逢“六一”儿童节，龙船上坐满了身穿迷你龙船衫的小朋友，在长辈的陪伴下，他们有模有样地敲锣、挥旗、划水，玩得不亦乐乎。此次体验扒龙船的孩子中，年龄最小的才6岁，在水花碰溅声中，交织出一幅“大手拉小手”传承龙船文化的和谐画面。

知道自己可以体验扒龙船的池睿扬小朋友，一早就拿着自己的小木桡，和爸爸从祠堂一路跟到河涌，迫不及待想要上船体验一把，“长大了我也要扒龙船！”

据悉，本次采青扒龙船活动有将近600人参加，有近50年“龙船龄”的桡手，也有从小接受本土龙船文化熏陶、有着浓浓“龙船情结”的年轻一代。他们年龄不同，但热爱龙船文化的心相同，在这个有特殊意义的日子里，祖孙三代齐聚一船，让这项传统民俗活动又焕发了新的活力，无数新生代在这热闹的传统文化氛围中，找到归属感、认同感、自豪感。

文｜记者 符畅
图｜符畅 钟振彬
翻译｜林佳岱