Dragon Boat Festival
Overview:The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duan Yang Festival and the Chong Wu Festival, is one of the four major traditional festivals in China and is held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month every year. This festival has a history of more than 2,000 years, and there are many different opinions on its origin, among which the most widely held opinion is that it is to commemorate Qu Yuan. The main customs of the Dragon Boat Festival include dragon boat racing, eating zongzi, hanging mugwort, etc., which are aimed at exorcising evil spirits and avoiding disasters, and praying for blessings and good fortune.
The Origin of the Dragon Boat Festival
The most widely known opinion about the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival is that it commemorates the patriotic poet Qu Yuan during the Warring States Period. He was dissatisfied with the decline of his country and committed suicide by jumping into the Miluo River. In order to prevent fish and shrimp from harming his body, local people threw zongzi into the river and rowed boats to salvage them, which gradually evolved into the custom of eating zongzi and racing dragon boats.
In addition, there are also sayings that it is to commemorate Wu Zixu, to commemorate the filial daughter Cao E, and there are also views that the Dragon Boat Festival originated from the ancient worship of the dragon totem, or the folk activities of summer disease prevention.
Main customs of the Dragon Boat Festival
- Dragon Boat Racing:Dragon Boat Racing is one of the most representative activities of the Dragon Boat Festival, mainly popular in the water towns in southern China. People row dragon boats in the river, and the scene is very lively. This activity is not only a commemoration of Qu Yuan, but also shows the spirit of teamwork.
- Eating Zongzi:Zongzi is a traditional food of the Dragon Boat Festival, which is made of glutinous rice wrapped in zong leaves. The fillings are diverse, including sweet red dates, bean paste, and salty fresh meat, egg yolk, etc., with distinct regional characteristics. Eating Zongzi symbolizes the remembrance of history and the expectation of reunion.
- Hanging mugwort and calamus:During the Dragon Boat Festival, people hang mugwort and calamus in front of their doors. These plants have the effect of repelling mosquitoes and insects, eliminating diseases and ensuring safety. They are regarded as indispensable evil-repelling objects during the festival.
- Wearing sachets: Sachets contain Chinese herbs and spices, which have the effect of repelling insects and preventing diseases. Sachets are usually made into exquisite patterns and shapes and are one of the symbols of the Dragon Boat Festival.
- Drinking realgar wine:In ancient times, people believed that realgar wine could kill bacteria and detoxify, and was used to prevent the spread of summer epidemics. Although this custom is rare in modern society, it is still preserved in some areas.
The cultural significance of the Dragon Boat Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival is not only a festival to commemorate Qu Yuan, but also a manifestation of the Chinese nation’s view of life and cultural spirit. It conveys the feelings of family and country, the concept of health, and the values of unity and cooperation. Among traditional festivals, the Dragon Boat Festival celebrations showcase rich folk customs and embody the unique charm of national culture.
Today, the Dragon Boat Festival has been included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List and is one of the important festivals celebrated by Chinese people around the world. Whether it is the lively scene of dragon boat racing or the fragrance of rice dumplings, they all embody people’s beautiful yearning for a happy life.
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