Eye Dotting | Paddlers for Life Windermere

‘Dotting the eyes’ of our dragons. Gallery

The tradition of ‘dotting the eyes’ is painting in the eye dots or pupils of the eyes on the dragon head. The idea is that of awakening the spirit of the dragon to give protection to the paddlers in the boat.

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Eye dotting ceremony, throwing buckwheat on the water.

Eye dotting.

Dotting the eyes of our dragons.

Dotting the eyes of our dragons.

Dotting the eyes of our dragons.

Eye dotting 2022.

Our three dragon heads.

Beating the water, awake, awake, awake!

Beating the water, awake, awake, awake!

Buckwheat is thrown on the water.

Eye dotting 2021 by newer paddlers.

In 2021, newer members dotted the dragon’s eyes.

Eye dotting 2021 by newer paddlers.

Origin of eye dotting ceremonies.

Burning ‘hell money’ is part of eye dotting.

Eye dotting 2021.

‘Awaken, awaken, awaken! as paddles beat the waters for the eye dotting ceremony.

‘Hell money’ is burnt in the 2020 eye dotting ceremony.

Ruth ‘dots the eyes’ of Lucy at Low Wood.

Artemis Phyllis has her eyes dotted by Sara.

Jill dots the eyes of Mary.

A big 'Thank You' to our supporters.

A big ‘Thank You’ to our supporters.

Paddlers enjoy tales of the origins of the dragon boat festival. 2019

Paddlers enjoy tales of the origins of the dragon boat festival. 2019

One of our newer members 'dots the eyes of Artemis Phyllis.

One of our newer members ‘dots the eyes of Artemis Phyllis.

A newer member 'dots the eyes' of 'Lucy at Low Wood'.

A newer member ‘dots the eyes’ of ‘Lucy at Low Wood’.

Roz is one of the team's helms. She has managed many of our pre-season 'All Hands On Deck' and 'Down and Ready' days preparing mebers old and new for the new season of paddling. 2014

Roz is one of the team’s helms. She has managed many of our pre-season ‘All Hands On Deck’ and ‘Down and Ready’ days preparing mebers old and new for the new season of paddling. 2014

Newer team members are given the chance to participate in the eye dotting ceremony. 2018

Newer team members are given the chance to participate in the eye dotting ceremony. 2018

Newer team members are given the chance to participate in the eye dotting ceremony. 2018

Newer team members are given the chance to participate in the eye dotting ceremony. 2018

eye dotting 2017 5

Sian has made two films of the team's activities including our Tenth Anniversary Film. 2017

Sian has made two films of the team’s activities including our Tenth Anniversary Film. 2017

Chris is one of the team of helms and regulars takes crews out in that role. 2017

Chris is one of the team of helms and regulars takes crews out in that role. 2017

Judy has supported the group as a trustee with the role of treasurer. 2017

Judy has supported the group as a trustee with the role of treasurer. 2017

Paddlers watch the 2017 eye dotting ceremony. Often on this day the group acknowledges the supporters who help the team in many ways. 2017

Paddlers watch the 2017 eye dotting ceremony. Often on this day the group acknowledges the supporters who help the team in many ways. 2017

Ali supports members with health guidance around cancer treatment and exercise and completes a health induction for new paddlers who have had medical treatment. 2016

Ali supports members with health guidance around cancer treatment and exercise and completes a health induction for new paddlers who have had medical treatment. 2016

Steph has served as trustee and is one of our regular drummers. 2016

Steph has served as trustee and is one of our regular drummers. 2016

Nick, web admin and photographer dots the eyes of Artemis Phyllis in 2015.

Nick, web admin and photographer dots the eyes of Artemis Phyllis in 2015.

Peter, one of our helms, dots the eyes of 'Lucy at Low Wood. Peter has managed helm training weekends, 2015

Peter, one of our helms, dots the eyes of ‘Lucy at Low Wood. Peter has managed helm training weekends, 2015

Paddlers watch the ceremony. 2015

Paddlers watch the ceremony. 2015

Paddlers watch as our two dragons awaken. 2014

Paddlers watch as our two dragons awaken. 2014

Paddlers watch as our two dragons awaken. 2013

Paddlers watch as our two dragons awaken. 2013

Rowena has served as a trustee to the charity and is also key in our communications network. 2013

Rowena has served as a trustee to the charity and is also key in our communications network. 2013

Keni, our coach over several seasons dots the eyes of 'Lucy at Low Wood'. 2013

Keni, our coach over several seasons dots the eyes of ‘Lucy at Low Wood’. 2013

Keni, our coach over several seasons dots the eyes of 'Lucy at Low Wood'. 2013

Keni, our coach over several seasons dots the eyes of ‘Lucy at Low Wood’. 2013

Sue who is a founder member of the team and also has been a trustee. She is now a patron of the team. 2012

Sue who is a founder member of the team and also has been a trustee. She is now a patron of the team. 2012

Sue who is a founder member of the team and also has been a trustee. She is now a patron of the team. 2012

Sue who is a founder member of the team and also has been a trustee. She is now a patron of the team. 2012

The owner of Upfront Gallery in Penrith dotted the eyes of Artemis Diana having hosted a dragon puppet work shop at the gallery in 2012.

The owner of Upfront Gallery in Penrith dotted the eyes of Artemis Diana having hosted a dragon puppet work shop at the gallery in 2012.

The owner of Upfront Gallery in Penrith dotted the eyes of Artemis Diana having hosted a dragon puppet work shop at the gallery in 2012.

The owner of Upfront Gallery in Penrith dotted the eyes of Artemis Diana having hosted a dragon puppet work shop at the gallery in 2012.

The owner of Upfront Gallery in Penrith dotted the eyes of Artemis Diana having hosted a dragon puppet work shop at the gallery in 2012.

The owner of Upfront Gallery in Penrith dotted the eyes of Artemis Diana having hosted a dragon puppet work shop at the gallery in 2012.

Paddlers look on as the dragons awake. 2011

Paddlers look on as the dragons awake. 2011

Paddlers look on as the dragons awake. 2011

Paddlers look on as the dragons awake. 2011

Part of the ceremony is to paddle the dragon boats rapidly forward then'beat the waters' with paddles to frighten away evil spirits. 2016

Part of the ceremony is to paddle the dragon boats rapidly forward then’beat the waters’ with paddles to frighten away evil spirits. 2016

Beating the waters 2014

Beating the waters 2014

Barbara has also been treasurer for the charity. 2014

Barbara has also been treasurer for the charity. 2014

Barbara is a supporter who has organised fund raising activities and is a key member where things need decoration such as our dragon heads or best dressed boat events. 2014

Barbara is a supporter who has organised fund raising activities and is a key member where things need decoration such as our dragon heads or best dressed boat events. 2014

Another friend of the team dots the eyes of 'Lucy at Low Wood' in 2011.

Another friend of the team dots the eyes of ‘Lucy at Low Wood’ in 2011.

In 2011 we asked the father of one of our paddlers to 'dot the eyes' as his daughter had just moved to the United States.

In 2011 we asked the father of one of our paddlers to ‘dot the eyes’ as his daughter had just moved to the United States.

The eye-dotting ceremony has also become a day to acknowledge the contribution supporter members make to Paddlers for Life. You can read a brief explanation of the origin of the ceremony here.