The
Dragon Boat Festival or Duanwu Festival, commonly known as the ‘端午节’ in China, is a traditional holiday celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. It’s a time for families to come together and eat traditional sticky rice dumplings, known as ‘zongzi’.
But did you know that there are some lesser-known facts about the festival that foreigners may not be aware of? Here are some surprising facts about the Dragon Boat Festival:
1. The origin of the festival is shrouded in mystery
There are several theories about the origins of the Dragon Boat Festival, but the most popular one is that it commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a revered poet and politician during the Warring States period. He is said to have drowned himself in the Miluo River in southern China as a protest against the corrupt government. People raced their boats to save him, but they were too late. In honor of Qu Yuan, people started to race dragon boats and eat sticky rice dumplings on the anniversary of his death.
2. The festival used to be a health and hygiene festival
The Dragon Boat Festival was originally a health and hygiene festival, and people would use the occasion to ward off evil spirits and diseases. They would take baths with mugwort leaves or calamus roots, hang herbs and other plants on doors and windows, and wear sachets filled with aromatic herbs to repel insects and pests.
3. The dragon boats are beautifully decorated
Dragon boats are long and narrow boats decorated with dragon heads and tails. Each boat has a crew of paddlers and a drummer who keeps them in sync. The dragon represents good luck, and the boats are meant to chase away evil spirits.
4. The ritual of eating zongzi is an ancient tradition
Eating zongzi is an ancient tradition that dates back to at least 2300 years ago during the Warring States period. The glutinous rice is wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves, which impart a special flavor to the rice. The fillings vary from region to region, but the most common ones are pork, mushrooms, and beans.
5. The festival is celebrated around the world
The Dragon Boat Festival has become a global event, with races and celebrations taking place in many countries around the world. In addition to China, Dragon boat festivals are held in countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Canada, and the United States.
In conclusion, the Dragon Boat Festival is a rich cultural event that not only celebrates the history and traditions of China but also promotes health and well-being. It’s a time to come together, have fun, and learn about the amazing history of this vibrant Chinese festival.
