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Dragon boat figurehead
c 1990
Australian National Maritime Museum
Sydney, Australia
Dragon boat figureheads are fitted to dragon boats to bring the spirt of the dragon to life. Taoist priests chant, burn paper money and 'dot the eyes' to ward off evil and bless the boat. After the races the figurehead is removed. This timber figurehead was carved in the Hunan province of China in 1999, to be exported to Australia for dragon boat competition. Today figureheads, like the boats, are made of fibreglass.
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Details
- Title: Dragon boat figurehead
- Date: c 1990
- Type: Figurehead
- Significance: This dragon boat figurehead is significant in relating the traditional Chinese cultural and ceremonial aspects of dragon boat racing and its adoption and popularity in Australia. The timber figurehead was carved in China as part of the cultural program to take dragon boating to the world.
- See institution's online collections: http://www.anmm.gov.au/collections
- Medium: Wood, paint, fibre, plastic, metal
- Dimensions: 570 x 150 x 1120 mm
- Credit line: ANMM Collection Gift from Carlos Ung
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