What are the origins and customs of Dragon Boat Festival?

Dragon Boat Festival is one of the traditional festivals in China, also known as "Duanyang Festival" and "Double Ninth Festival". Its origin can be traced back to the Warring States period, and it is said that it was established in memory of the patriotic poet Qu Yuan.

Qu Yuan is a minister and poet of Chu State. In order to save the country, he went into exile and finally threw himself into the river on the fifth day of May. In order to prevent fish and shrimp from eating his body, people scattered zongzi and mugwort leaves by the river, rowed boats and drummed drums to drive away evil spirits. This is the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival.

There are many traditional customs in the Dragon Boat Festival, the most famous of which are eating zongzi and racing dragon boats. Zongzi is a kind of food wrapped with glutinous rice and various fillings, both salty and sweet. Dragon boat race is an activity that imitates ancient people's rowing and drumming, and now it has become a national sport.

Besides eating zongzi and racing dragon boats, there are many other customs in the Dragon Boat Festival, such as hanging mugwort leaves and wearing sachets. These customs are to pray for health, peace and happiness.