Time: June, 9^th, 2007

Location: Qu Yuan temple, Zhou mei, Taipei city.

Worshipped god: Water god emperor (Qu Yuan)

 Before the actual dragon boat racing, it is essential to pick a lucky day to worship Qu Yuan.

 There is one temple that worships Qu Yuan in Taipei city, and it is the only one in Taiwan. It’s right in Zhou mei.

 It was raining heavily that day, and the rain last for a very long time. We all wear a casual raincoat.

 Mayor of Taipei city, Mr. Hao Long Bing also arrived at the site to serve as chief worship officer. All the ambassadors and ministers of the countries that have a diplomatic relation with Taiwan are all here at the site.

 First, we requested Qu Yuan, the water god emperor down from upstairs. Then the mayor did the worshipping. Next, we requested Qu Yuan into the palankeen, and will transfer him to the crossing.

 Aside from all the guests, all the racing teams also gathered here, stood beside the dragon boats, waited to enlighten the dragon eyes.

 Before that, some grins like rice, black bean, soybean were placed under the dragon boat. I incidentally asked the elder there at the site, he said that was an old custom and stared very long ago, it was supposed to drive the evil spirits away.

 There were rice dumplings and fake banknotes hanging by the two sides of dragon horn. I could not understand the custom either. So I asked the grand old man, Qi Lao. And I learned that those were to worship the river after the dragon eyes being enlightened. That means the dumplings were for the fish in the sea, and the fake banknotes are for the ghosts.

 Therefore we can pray for a smooth and safe dragon boat racing.

 Ah, it suddenly got very crowded.

 It is the mayor Hao getting ready to enlighten the dragon eyes. I am such a small kid that I can’t beat those adult photographers. Therefore I can only film the other group of people, and these people turn out to be very fun to watch. The foreigner ambassadors and ministers are enlightening the dragon eyes.

 “First enlightening we pray for timely wind and rain that bring good harvest. Second enlightening we wish our country flourishes and people live in peace.”

 Next, we requested Qu Yuan into the palankeen, and carried him to the crossing which is about 500 meters away. Along with the two dragon boats that were being enlightened, they were also pushed to the crossing.

 The rain got even bigger.

 My shoes were soaking wet, as well as my clothes, let alone my hair.

 At the crossing, we safely placed Qu Yuan at the altar. A Taoist priest chanted in a quiet voice, enlightened every dragon boats in the eyes.

 After the ceremony, they gently pushed every dragon boats down to the river.

 There are techniques involved when pushing the dragon boats down to the river. You have to go with the tail first. If you push down on the head part first, it is easily that the whole boat may sink into water since the dragon boat head is heavier than the tail. Therefore, they usually assign seasoned and experienced elders to be in charge of the dragon boat tail.

 Next step is to worship the river.

 The whole procedure runs through, and we can finally put and end to our documentary.