Shui Shang Jiao Long jie,as know as River Water Dragon Festival.The Oujian River Water Dragon Festival is a festival full of mystery and rich cultural significance. It has a long history, carrying the ancient dragon totem beliefs and legacy culture, and has become one of the most important traditional folk activities in the Oujian River Basin.
Where is the Oujian River Water Dragon Festival held?
The Oujian River Water Dragon Festival, a grand folk event, is held every year in the scenic Fuyun Street of Yunhe County without fail. Here, places like Sanjiangkou, Jucun, and Xikou become the centers of celebration, attracting thousands of people to participate and watch.
When it comes to the Water Dragon Festival, it holds a significant position not only in Yunhe County but also throughout Zhejiang Province. This is not only because of its unique celebration form but also because it carries profound cultural connotations and historical significance. Therefore, the Water Dragon Festival is honored to be listed in the sixth batch of Zhejiang Province’s intangible cultural heritage representative projects, becoming a cultural treasure of Yunhe County and Zhejiang Province.
The most eye-catching part of the festival celebration is undoubtedly the water dragon performance. On the Oujian River, lifelike water dragons leap and tumble in the water, accompanied by thunderous gongs and drums and cheers from the audience, presenting magnificent scenes. These dragons, some meticulously crafted from wood, bamboo poles, and fabric, while others created through modern technological means, all represent people’s reverence for dragons and their wishes for a better life.
In addition to the water dragon performance, the light show is also a major highlight of the festival. As night falls, colorful lights illuminate both banks of the Oujian River, decorating the night sky like poetry and painting. These lights not only bring a visual feast to the audience but also allow people to feel the joy and tranquility of the festival in the ocean of light.
Furthermore, the display of intangible cultural heritage is an indispensable part of the Water Dragon Festival. In the exhibition area, people can admire numerous intangible cultural heritage projects of Yunhe County and Zhejiang Province, such as paper-cutting, clay sculpture, and embroidery. These traditional handicrafts not only showcase the exquisite skills of folk artists but also allow people to appreciate the unique charm of traditional culture.
What customs are observed during the Oujian River Water Dragon Festival?
The Oujian River Water Dragon Festival is an important folk activity in Yunhe County, with profound cultural connotations and historical significance. Here are some of the main customs observed during the festival:
Water Dragon Performance: The core activity of the festival, where water dragons meticulously crafted from materials like wood, bamboo poles, and fabric perform acrobatics on the Oujian River.
The dragons are often several meters long, with majestic appearances, prominent horns, golden eyes, flowing beards, giving a strong visual impact.
Folk Music and Dragon Dance: Accompanied by folk music, people perform dragon dances to celebrate this traditional festival.
Traditional Worship Activities: Traditional worship ceremonies are conducted during the festival to pray for favorable weather and national prosperity.
Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition: Displaying intangible cultural heritage projects of Yunhe County and Zhejiang Province, such as paper-cutting, clay sculpture, and embroidery, allowing people to appreciate the unique charm of traditional culture.
Light Show and Concert: At night, colorful light shows entertain the audience, while folk-style concerts let people experience the charm of traditional culture.
Specialty Food Display and Tasting: Traditional local delicacies, such as fried quail and oil barrel pancakes, are showcased and offered for tasting, allowing visitors to experience the local culture while savoring delicious food.
Community Interaction and Participation: Various market and amusement projects, as well as interactive games like pitching and archery, enhance the sense of participation and experience for the masses.
These customs and activities together constitute the rich content of the Oujian River Water Dragon Festival, reflecting the integration of Chinese traditional dragon culture and boat culture, while also showcasing the folk customs and unique charm of intangible cultural heritage of Yunhe County.
What is the origin of the Oujian River Water Dragon Festival?
The origin of the Oujian River Water Dragon Festival is mainly related to the ancient dragon totem beliefs and local folk legends of Yunhe County, specifically:
Influence of Dragon Totem Beliefs: Dragon totem beliefs have a long history in Chinese civilization, and the Water Dragon Festival originated from this tradition. The dragon is regarded as a symbol of power, wisdom, and auspiciousness, thus festivals featuring dragons hold significant importance in Chinese culture.
Local Folk Legends in Yunhe Area: According to historical records, in ancient times, due to the rampant fire gods in Yunhe area, people made board dragons and dragon lanterns during the Lantern Festival to invite back the “Dragon Mother” to subdue the fire gods. This custom evolved over time and eventually developed into the Oujian River Water Dragon Festival.
Historical Evolution and Development: Originally, the Water Dragon Festival may have been a local activity in the vicinity of Yunhe Jucun, but over time, its influence gradually expanded. Today, it has become a traditional folk activity with broad participation and large-scale celebrations, and has successfully been selected into the sixth batch of Zhejiang Province’s intangible cultural heritage representative projects.
What is the significance of the Oujian River Water Dragon Festival?
The significance of the Oujian River Water Dragon Festival mainly lies in several aspects:
Cultural Inheritance and Promotion: As a traditional folk activity in Yunhe County, the Water Dragon Festival carries profound cultural connotations and historical significance. Through the celebration activities of the festival, traditional Chinese culture, especially dragon culture and boat culture, can be inherited and promoted.
Community Cohesion and Unity: The festival activities attract a large number of people to participate, enhancing community cohesion and promoting communication and unity among people. Through collective participation and celebration, a sense of unity and harmony is created.
Tourism and Economic Development: As a major tourism highlight in Yunhe County, the Oujian River Water Dragon Festival attracts numerous tourists to come and watch or participate. This not only enhances the local visibility but also drives the development of related tourism industries, injecting new vitality into the local economy.
Protection and Inheritance of Intangible Cultural Heritage: The Oujian River Water Dragon Festival has been successfully selected as a representative project of Zhejiang Province’s intangible cultural heritage, demonstrating its important cultural value. Through the inheritance and protection of this festival, more people can understand and recognize the importance of intangible cultural heritage, thereby promoting the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage.
