Dragon Boat Festival: A Traditional Chinese Festival

Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a traditional and important celebration in China. Dragon Boat Festival is a festival that has been passed down from ancient times. It has various customs and legends, such as dragon boat racing, eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), hanging mugwort and calamus, drinking realgar wine, and wearing perfume pouches.

The Origin of Dragon Boat Festival

There are many legends about the origin of Dragon Boat Festival, but the most widely accepted one is that it commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet of the Chu state during the Warring States Period (475–221 BC).

Qu Yuan was a loyal minister who advised his king to ally with other states against the powerful Qin state. However, he was slandered by jealous officials and exiled by his king. During his exile, he wrote many poems to express his love for his country.

In 278 BC, he learned that Qin troops had conquered the capital of Chu. He was so grieved that he threw himself into the Miluo River on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. The local people admired him so much that they raced out in their boats to try to save him. They also threw rice dumplings into the water to feed the fish and prevent them from eating Qu Yuan’s body.

Later, dragon boat racing and eating zongzi became traditional activities to honor Qu Yuan’s memory on every fifth day of the fifth lunar month.

The Customs of Dragon Boat Festival

Dragon Boat Festival has many customs and traditions. Some of them are listed below:

• Dragon boat racing: This is one of the most popular activities during Dragon Boat Festival. People form teams and race against each other in boats decorated with dragon heads and tails. The rowers have to paddle in sync with the drumbeat. It is said that the winning team will bring good luck and happiness to their village.
• Eating zongzi: Zongzi are sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves. They have different fillings, such as dates, meat, beans, or nuts. Zongzi are the main food for Dragon Boat Festival, because they were originally thrown into the river to feed the fish and protect Qu Yuan’s body.
• Hanging mugwort and calamus: Mugwort and calamus are two herbs that are said to have the power of dispelling evil spirits and diseases. People hang them on their doors or windows to ward off bad luck and insects. They also help to create a fresh and fragrant atmosphere.
• Drinking realgar wine: Realgar wine is a type of Chinese alcoholic drink made with realgar, a yellow mineral that contains arsenic. It is believed that drinking realgar wine can detoxify the body and prevent snake bites. Some people also sprinkle realgar wine on their children’s heads to protect them from evil.
• Wearing perfume pouches: Perfume pouches are small bags filled with various fragrant herbs and spices. They are worn around the neck or waist by children. They can not only make children smell nice, but also keep away mosquitoes and other insects.
  

The Cultural Significance of Dragon Boat Festival

Dragon Boat Festival is a festival that reflects the Chinese spirit of patriotism, loyalty, and perseverance. It also showcases the rich and colorful folk culture of China. Dragon Boat Festival is a time for people to enjoy themselves with their families and friends, as well as to pay respect to their ancestors and national heroes.

Dragon Boat Festival has been celebrated for over 2000 years in China. It has also spread to other countries where there are Chinese communities or cultural influences, such as Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, etc. In 2008, it was recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Dragon Boat Festival is a unique and charming festival that attracts many tourists from home and abroad. If you have a chance to visit China during this time, you will surely be impressed by the festive atmosphere and the splendid activities.