What customs are associated with Dragon Boat Festival?
2023-06-12 19:06:10
By Zeng Lei, Yichang International Communication Studio
Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday. Most people associate it with eating zongzi (rice dumplings), but many other customs are unique to this holiday as well.
Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated to commemorate Qu Yuan (c. 340 BC - 278 BC). Born in Yichang’s Zigui County, Qu is considered to be one of the greatest patriotic poets and politicians of ancient China.
This year’s National Dragon Boat Festival Holiday begins on June 22, which is the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.
Let’s find out what the cultural activities of this special day are!
1. Eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings)
Eating zongzi is the most widespread tradition during the festival. Zongzi come wrapped in leaves of lotus or banana in a pyramid shape. Flavors and taste vary from region to region. People in the North of China prefer zongzi with sweet fillings, whereas people in the south prefer more savory zongzi, such as those with pork and salted egg yolk.
In addition, different regions have distinct preferences for the filling, such as bean paste, nuts or sausage. Zongzi symbolize luck in Chinese culture which is why eating the dish is such a well-rooted custom for this day.
2. Dragon boat racing
Dragon boat racing is another important activity during Dragon Boat Festival, especially in the southern coastal areas. Each year, dragon boat races become the most entertaining and interesting activity of the festival.
3. Wearing herbal pouches
Parents often sew small bags using colorful silk cloths and threads, filling them with herbal medicine. They then hang the pouches around their children’s necks or tie them to their clothing to protect their children from evil and disease.
4. Hanging mugwort leaves
During the holiday, many families hang mugwort leaves on their doors to keep evil spirits, disease and bad luck away. The fragrant mugwort leaves refresh the air and also deter mosquitoes and other insects.
People from Yichang’s Zigui County have close links to Qu Yuan, and for them the Dragon Boat Festival is more important than the Spring Festival. They have a unique approach to celebrating it.
They have three "Dragon Boat Festivals" each year: the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar is the “Head of Dragon Boat Festival", the fifteenth day of the fifth month is the "Big Dragon Boat Festival", the twenty-fifth day of the fifth month is the "End of the Dragon Boat Festival".
The main activity for the Head of Dragon Boat Festival is to hang mugwort leaves at the door. The key activity for the Big Dragon Boat Festival is the dragon boat race itself. The End of the Dragon Boat Festival is traditionally a time for married daughters to return home to visit their parents.
Chinese culture is reflected and preserved in many interesting traditional customs. Come to Zigui and experience the charm of our unique Dragon Boat Festival!
Photo by Zheng Jiayu
Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday. Most people associate it with eating zongzi (rice dumplings), but many other customs are unique to this holiday as well.
Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated to commemorate Qu Yuan (c. 340 BC - 278 BC). Born in Yichang’s Zigui County, Qu is considered to be one of the greatest patriotic poets and politicians of ancient China.
This year’s National Dragon Boat Festival Holiday begins on June 22, which is the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.
Let’s find out what the cultural activities of this special day are!
1. Eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings)
Eating zongzi is the most widespread tradition during the festival. Zongzi come wrapped in leaves of lotus or banana in a pyramid shape. Flavors and taste vary from region to region. People in the North of China prefer zongzi with sweet fillings, whereas people in the south prefer more savory zongzi, such as those with pork and salted egg yolk.
In addition, different regions have distinct preferences for the filling, such as bean paste, nuts or sausage. Zongzi symbolize luck in Chinese culture which is why eating the dish is such a well-rooted custom for this day.
2. Dragon boat racing
Dragon boat racing is another important activity during Dragon Boat Festival, especially in the southern coastal areas. Each year, dragon boat races become the most entertaining and interesting activity of the festival.
3. Wearing herbal pouches
Parents often sew small bags using colorful silk cloths and threads, filling them with herbal medicine. They then hang the pouches around their children’s necks or tie them to their clothing to protect their children from evil and disease.
4. Hanging mugwort leaves
During the holiday, many families hang mugwort leaves on their doors to keep evil spirits, disease and bad luck away. The fragrant mugwort leaves refresh the air and also deter mosquitoes and other insects.
People from Yichang’s Zigui County have close links to Qu Yuan, and for them the Dragon Boat Festival is more important than the Spring Festival. They have a unique approach to celebrating it.
They have three "Dragon Boat Festivals" each year: the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar is the “Head of Dragon Boat Festival", the fifteenth day of the fifth month is the "Big Dragon Boat Festival", the twenty-fifth day of the fifth month is the "End of the Dragon Boat Festival".
The main activity for the Head of Dragon Boat Festival is to hang mugwort leaves at the door. The key activity for the Big Dragon Boat Festival is the dragon boat race itself. The End of the Dragon Boat Festival is traditionally a time for married daughters to return home to visit their parents.
Chinese culture is reflected and preserved in many interesting traditional customs. Come to Zigui and experience the charm of our unique Dragon Boat Festival!
Photo by Zheng Jiayu
