What does the Dragon Boat Festival symbolize?

The Dragon Boat Festival , also known as the Duanwu Festival , is a traditional Chinese festival commemorating the life and death of the famous Chinese poet Qu Yuan . The festival takes place on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar.

The Dragon Boat Festival is one of China's four major cultural celebrations. The other three are Chinese New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Qingming Festival. The Dragon Boat Festival is a public holiday for the Chinese population; schools and most businesses are closed. Let's learn more about this famous Dragon Boat Festival. 🐉

What is the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival?

As with most Chinese festivals, the origins of the Dragon Boat Festival have become unclear over the years. The most popular story recounts that this festival commemorates the death of Qu Yuan (340-278 BC), an ancient poet from the state of Chu. He opposed an alliance between the states of Chu and Qin . Banished for speaking out, he spent many years in seclusion writing poetry. He eventually committed suicide by throwing himself into the Miluo River (Hunan Province) upon learning that Qin had overthrown the capital of Chu.

The circumstances surrounding Qu Yuan's untimely death explain the story of two popular traditions: eating zongzi (sticky rice balls) and dragon boat racing . When people learned that Qu Yuan had thrown himself into the river, they rowed their boats to rescue him (hence the dragon boat race). When they couldn't find him, they threw sticky rice balls into the river for the fish to eat instead of Qu Yuan's body. He died on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.

What are the activities and customs associated with the Dragon Boat Festival?

The Dragon Boat Festival is a festival where people eat rice balls (Zongzi), drink Realgar wine (Xionghuang), and race dragon boats. Other activities include hanging portraits of Zhong Kui (a mythical guardian), hanging wormwood and calamus, taking long walks, writing spells, and carrying bags of scented medicine.

• Dragon Boat Races

Dragon boats are named for the shape of the front and back of the boat, which resemble the traditional Chinese dragon . The goal of a dragon boat race is simple: reach the finish line before the other competitors. A team member sits at the front of the boat and beats a drum. Their purpose is to boost team morale and ensure the rowers are synchronized. This event has become international and can be seen in Japan, Vietnam, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

• Eating Zongzi

Zongzi is a pyramid-shaped , sticky rice ball wrapped in reed leaves. It is filled with various flavors. In northern China, people prefer jujubes as a filling, while in the south, they often use sweet bean paste , fresh meat, or egg yolk. Nowadays, zongzi has become a common food, readily available in supermarkets and grocery stores. However, some families still maintain the tradition of making zongzi on festival days.

• Hang up Calamus and Mugwort leaves

Hanging Artemisia argyi (Chinese mugwort) leaves on the door is said to protect those inside from illness. Calamus leaves , resembling swords, are hung to ward off evil spirits. The Dragon Boat Festival takes place during the intense summer heat, which encourages the proliferation of germs, parasites, and venomous animals. Both wormwood and calamus emit a distinctive fragrance that purifies the air , repels mosquitoes and insects, and thus helps people stay safe from disease and epidemics.

• Wearing Perfume Sachets

This custom serves the same purpose as hanging calamus and mugwort, as the sachets are always filled with Chinese medicinal herbs believed to repel parasites and other venomous animals. Today, this practice is more popular among children, and the sachets are made in various shapes , including the traditional Zongzi design, animals, a gourd, a pumpkin, and flowers.

• Collage of Zhong Kui's portrait

Zhong Kui was a very ugly character tasked with chasing away evil spirits. During the festival, people stick his portrait on their door or hang it in one of the rooms of their house to protect their home.

All these activities and games, such as setting up an egg stand at midday, were considered by the ancients to be an effective way to combat illness and evil, while promoting health and well-being. People also sometimes wear talismans to ward off evil spirits. In the Republic of China, the festival was also celebrated as " Poets' Day " in honor of Qu Yuan , who is known as China's first poet.

Why is the Dragon Boat Festival so important?

In addition to its commemorative significance , the Dragon Boat Festival serves a practical purpose . Originally, the festival took place around the summer solstice, when parasites, venomous animals, and germs become more active. People would therefore take precautions to prevent the spread of disease and epidemics . Evil spirits were also added to the list of things to ward off. Many ancient Chinese customs have been passed down to the present day.

What are the upcoming dates for the Dragon Boat Festival?

The Dragon Boat Festival is based on the lunar calendar , so the date varies from year to year on the Gregorian calendar. The Dragon Boat Festival is a tradition over 2000 years old, with customs passed down through generations. This celebration results in a 3-day holiday. Here are the upcoming dates for the Dragon Boat Festival:

• 2021 Monday, June 14
• 2022 Friday, June 3
• 2023 Thursday, June 22
• 2024 Monday, June 10
• 2025 Saturday, May 31

Where can I watch Dragon Boat Races in China?

Dragon boat racing has become a must-see competitive sport . Many places in China host dragon boat races during the festival. Here are four of the most prestigious locations if you want to experience the Dragon Boat Festival in China .

• Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival: Victoria Harbour, Kowloon, Hong Kong
• Yueyang Dragon Boat Festival: Yueyang Prefecture, Hunan Province
• Dragon Boat Festival of the Miao ethnic group : Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province
• Hangzhou Dragon Boat Festival: Xixi Wetland National Park, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province

The Dragon Boat Festival is a Cultural Heritage event

We've just learned more about the Dragon Boat Festival, a celebration that has spread internationally . Beyond the cultural beliefs and customs associated with this festival, the Dragon Boat Festival allows people to connect with one another . It strengthens solidarity within families and establishes a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature.

The dragon remains a ubiquitous creature in celebrations, thanks to its formidable virtues . Now it's your turn to embrace this cheerful spirit and style with our dragon jackets. The embroidered creature on our clothing brings luck and positivity to its wearer. Click on the image below to access our special selection! 👇