Celebrating Dragon Boat Festival: A Festivity of Courage and Tradition
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. It falls somewhere in May or June every year. The festival originated from various traditions related to the dragon. The dragon is a symbol of strength and good luck in Chinese culture.
History of the Festival
The history of the Dragon Boat Festival dates back over 2,000 years ago to the Kingdom of Wu during the Warring States period. Qu Yuan, a nobleman and official, fell out of favor with the king and was exiled, where he wrote poetry and criticism of the government. After the state was conquered by a neighboring kingdom, Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River in despair. The locals searched for him in their boats and threw rice dumplings into the water to keep the fish from eating his body.
Customs of the Festival
The main customs of the Dragon Boat Festival include eating zongzi, dragon boat racing, hanging calamus and moxa leaves, and wearing sachets of fragrant herbs. Zongzi, a savory glutinous rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves, is traditionally eaten during the festival. Dragon boat racing is perhaps the most popular activity during the festival. Teams of paddlers compete in elaborate dragon-shaped boats to the beat of a drum. Calamus and moxa leaves are believed to repel insects and prevent sickness during the summer months, so they are hung up in doorways and windows. Sachets of fragrant herbs, called \"xiangbao,\" are also worn around the neck or wrist to ward off evil spirits and bad luck.
Significance of the Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival is significant because it celebrates the virtues of patriotism, loyalty, and righteousness embodied by Qu Yuan. The festival also marks the arrival of summer and renewed life. The customs associated with the festival are a way to ward off evil spirits and bad luck, and to ensure health and prosperity for the year ahead.
In conclusion, the Dragon Boat Festival is a cherished tradition in Chinese culture that celebrates the courage of a nobleman and signifies the arrival of summer and renewed life. The customs associated with the festival imbue a sense of good fortune and well-being to those who observe them.
