The breif introduction to Dragon Boat festival
It is on the 5th day of the 5th month in the Chinese lunar calendar, it has had a long history of more than 2000 years. It is usually in June in solar calendar. Since 2008, in order to promote the national culture and national traditions reservations, Chinese government has declared it as statutory holidays in May Fifth.
Today the dragon boat festival is still a very popular day for all Chinese people home and abroad. Our country attaches so great importance to the protection of the intangible cultural heritage that the state council approved the inclusion of the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage on May 20th 2006.
There are many legends about the origin of the day, but the most popular of which is in commemoration of Qu Yuan, who lived in the Warring states period (about 340-278BC.)
Qu Yuan
Qu Yuan was minister of the State of Chu . As a government official and a great poet, who was respected by many people, but due to the malicious opposition of jealous rivals, he deposed and exiled by King Huai. When he heard the news that his state and people had been finally conquered by another strong state--Qin, he finished his last piece Huai Sha (Embracing Sand) and in his sorrow he threw himself into the Mi Luo River.
It is recorded that after his death , people rowed the boat and crowded the river in search for him but failed. From then on people came to the river and paid their respect to him on the 5th of the 5th month every lunar year. They usually threw such food as Zong Zi , eggs and so on into the river in order to divert the fish from attacking his body. On that day people always eat Zong Zi drink realger wine and race boat in memory of this patriotic and great poet.
bronze statue of Qu Yuan
Activities about the Day:
1.Hang calamus and mugwort:
On that morning of May 5th, people often get up early to go outside ,looking for these two kinds of plants and then hang them in the front door. Actually they can be made into Chinese medicine, which can be used for a wide variety of ailments and insect sting. Because of their unique flavour and medicial value, people also use them when bathing. probably this is why it is said that they will ward off the evils and bring good luck.
Chinese mugwort(Artemisia argyi or wormwood)
2.Racing boat: Dragon boat racing is an indispensable part of the festival, held all over the country. As the gun is fired, people will see racers in dragon-shaped canoes pulling the oars harmoniously and hurriedly, accompanied by rapid drums, speeding toward their destination.
boat racing
3. Eating Zong Zi..
Zongzi is an essential food of the Dragon Boat Festival. It is said that people ate them in the Spring and Autumn Period (770--476 BC). In early times, it was only glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in reed or other plant leaves and tied with colored thread, but now the fillings are more diversified, including jujube and bean paste, fresh meat, and ham and egg yolk. If time permits, people will soak glutinous rice, wash reed leaves and wrap up Zongzi themselves. Otherwise, they will go to shops to buy whatever stuff they want. The custom of eating Zongzi is now popular in North and South Korea, Japan and Southeast Asian nations.
Zong Zi(rice dumpling)
4. Hanging spice bag:
People especially children often carry the small spice bag around with them before the Day, Legendarily it not only drives away evil spirits but also brings fortune and happiness to those who wear it. The small bags are hand-made by local craftsmen.
They're made with red, yellow, green and blue silk, fine satin or cotton. Figures of animals, flowers and fruits are often embroidered onto the bags and inside are mixed Chinese herbal medicines.
spice bag
5. Drinking realgar wine:
It is a very popular practice to drink this kind of Chinese liquor seasoned with realgar at the Dragon Boat Festival. This is for protection from evil and disease for the rest of the year. In one word, all of the activities are to protect themselves from evil and honor the poet Qu Yuan.
Realgar Wine
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