Things you may not have known...

• Began in China before the Qin dynasty, 2000 years ago.
  
  
• Commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a patriotic royal advisor who took his own life by drowning when his king was betrayed and killed by enemies.
  

• To keep the fish from eating the popular and well-liked poet’s body resting at the bottom of the river, the people raced dragon boats and sounded drums.
  

• Pink carnations now thrown into the water at festivals by breast cancer survivors symbolize the food wrapped in lotus leaves and thrown to feed the spirit of Qu Yuan by his fellow citizens. These carnations are tokens in memoriam to those who have died and in honour of those who have survived breast cancer.
  
  
• Since 1996, breast cancer survivors have been involved throughout Canada.
  
  
• Dragon boating came to Vancouver, Canada in 1986 as part of EXPO86 and is now one of the fastest growing sports in the country.