Our logo was designed with several things in mind:

• The dragon image is associated with a spirit of strength and vitality. Dragon boating has a connection to ancient ceremonial, ritualistic and religious traditions. The use of dragon boats for racing is believed to have originated in southern central China more than 2,500 years ago (during the same era when the games of ancient Greece were being established at Olympia). In China, dragons are traditionally believed to be the rulers of rivers, lakes and seas, and to dominate the clouds, mists and rains which are of heaven. Respecting and revering the dragon deity was meant to avert misfortune and calamity and encourage rainfall which is needed for the fertility of the crops and thus a prosperous way of life.  Unlike dragons in European mythology which are considered evil, Asian dragons are regarded as wholesome and beneficial thus worthy of revering, not slaying.
• The Fleur-de-Lis (which is incorporated into the dragon), literally means “lily flower”. This is a familiar ornament known as a symbol for the city of Louisville. It is usually meant to symbolize a connection to French history. The Iris flower was commonly found near the King’s homes in the moist soil of the river of Lis. They called the flowers, in short, the Fleur-de-Lis, instead of the flower of the river of Lis. There are different legends surrounding the meaning of the Fleur-de-Lis. Our team chose to align with meaning attributed to Clovis, the Merovingian king of the Franks. Clovis adopted the symbol when water lilies showed him how to safely cross a river and thus succeed in battle.
• The pink breast cancer ribbon – The “g” in Derby City Dragons incorporates a pink ribbon to show our connection with breast cancer awareness and activities.