Flower Boat Dance (Chenqiao Flower Boat Dance) is an extension of the traditional dance category of the fourth batch of representative projects of municipal intangible cultural heritage in Huai'an. Historical evolution Flower boat, also known as "Danghu boat" and "Dry boat". It has been circulated in Chenqiao area of Jinhu County for more than 400 years. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, people used it to pray for good weather, good harvests, and to drive away evil spirits and avoid disasters. During the Republic of China, flower boat performances were the mainstream program at folk festivals and temple fairs, and have been passed down to this day. At present, the flower boat dance in Chenqiao, Jinhu County has a certain influence in various towns and villages in Jinhu, Hongze, Xuyi and other areas, and even Tianchang in Anhui. Basic content and characteristics The flower boats in Chenqiao Town, Jinhu County are rich in shape, including flower boats, dragon boats, carp boats, frog boats, crane boats, etc. Boats of different shapes have certain meanings. For example, the crane boat is usually performed at birthday celebrations, implying "longevity of pine and crane"; the carp boat implies "carp jumping over the dragon gate" and "passing the imperial examination"; the frog boat implies "no insects and disasters in the coming year, and a good harvest of grains". Chenqiao's flower boat is mainly danced, supplemented by rap. It can be performed by 2, 3, 5 or even more people. When there are fewer people, the main roles are the boatman and the clown. The clown usually wears ragged clothes, a ragged straw hat, shakes a ragged fan, dances, waits for opportunities to make jokes, and makes fun of others. The role of the boatman requires higher singing skills, which is basically an improvisation inspired by the scene, but there are also fixed lyrics and music. The tunes sung are mostly folk tunes from northern Jiangsu, such as "Thirty-headed", "Holding the Railing", "Big Five Watch", "Small Five Watch", "Qilin Tune", "Yu Meiren", etc. When there are many people performing, it is divided into two types: Baimenzi and Dachangzi. Baimenzi flower boat performance can be performed by 89 people. The performance of the flower boat requires about 20 people, including 4 gongs and drums, 1 boat lady, 1 clown, 4 boatmen singing, and 810 people who "play lotus flowers" or carry flower baskets. The main ways to play Chenqiao flower boat dance are: making a circle, opening four doors, wearing a cross, foreign eight characters, two dragons fighting for pearls, lions playing embroidery balls, floating with the current, sailing against the current, circling the field, dragon wagging its tail, two dragons coming out of the water, four boats colliding, dragon and phoenix flower boat dance, donkey lantern flower boat dance, flower basket flower boat dance, etc. With the rapid development of the economy and society and the accelerated pace of life, Chenqiao flower boat dance is facing difficulties such as shortage of funds and lack of talents. Many old artists engaged in flower boat dance are old, and some have passed away. It is urgent to rescue and protect Chenqiao flower boat dance.