The Flower Ceremony

One of the traditions now engrained in dragon boat festival and race culture worldwide is the Flower Ceremony involving breast cancer survivor teams. 

The ceremony reportedly dates back to 1996 in Vancouver when a paddler picked bright pink roses from her garden to give to fellow paddlers to toss into the water after a race as a way to honor a member who couldn’t participate. Soon thereafter, pink carnations and an emotional and empowering ceremony evolved into an inspiring tradition within the dragon boat community. In Australia, for example, it is known as Flowers on the Water.

Its purpose is to raise awareness of the ongoing fight against breast cancer, a celebration of life and survival, and a touching tribute to those who have passed but forever remain in our hearts.

The ceremony typically takes place after the final breast cancer survivor division races at an organized festival. Dragon boats carrying breast cancer survivors—each holding a flower—are rafted together in the water just off-shore so families, friends and other spectators can also join in from land.

While the teams join hands, a speaker (preferably a breast cancer survivor) is selected to offer some heartfelt remarks about celebrating the lives of survivors, offering hope for those currently battling the disease, and honoring those who have passed. Typically, some music is then played while paddlers raise their flowers above their heads, swaying in time to the song. Those on shore do the same. Then, a signal is given to toss the flowers simultaneously into the water.

It is an incredibly beautiful, respectful and unifying experience that strengthens the special bond of support among breast cancer survivors across the globe.