Dragon Boat Festival

About This Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. This festival commemorates the ancient poet Qu Yuan and features exciting dragon boat races, eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), and various customs to ward off evil spirits and diseases.

History & Origin

The festival originated over 2,000 years ago to commemorate Qu Yuan (340-278 BC), a patriotic poet and minister of the Chu Kingdom. When his country was conquered, Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River. Local people raced out in boats to save him and threw rice dumplings into the river to feed the fish so they wouldn't eat his body. This evolved into dragon boat racing and eating zongzi.

Traditions & Customs

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Dragon Boat Racing: Teams paddle ornate boats in competitive races

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Eating Zongzi: Pyramidal glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves

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Hanging Calamus and Wormwood: Aromatic herbs hung on doors to repel insects and evil

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Wearing Perfume Pouches: Children wear fragrant sachets for protection

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Drinking Realgar Wine: Traditional wine believed to ward off evil spirits

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Five-Color Silk Thread: Children wear colorful silk threads on wrists and ankles

Traditional Foods

Zongzi (粽子)

Sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves, filled with various ingredients

Realgar Wine (雄黄酒)

Traditional alcoholic beverage believed to have protective properties

Five-Yellow Dishes

Five foods with yellow colors: eel, yellow croaker fish, cucumber, salted egg yolk, and realgar wine

Fried Cake

Sweet fried pastries popular in northern regions

Festival Activities

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Watching or participating in dragon boat races

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Making and eating zongzi with family

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Hanging calamus and wormwood on doors and windows

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Children wearing perfume pouches and five-color threads

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Collecting herbs believed to have medicinal properties

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Swimming and water activities to celebrate the summer season