What is the Dragon Boat Festival (one of the traditional festivals in China)?

Dragon Boat Festival is one of the traditional festivals in China, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. It originated from the ancient dragon boat race in China and the tradition of commemorating Qu Yuan. Now it has become an important traditional festival and is listed as a national statutory holiday.

The origin of the Dragon Boat Festival

Dragon Boat Festival originated from Quyuan Memorial Day in ancient China. Qu Yuan was a great patriotic poet and politician in ancient China. In 278 BC, out of loyalty to his country, he threw himself into the river. In memory of him, people hold various activities on the fifth day of May every year.

Legend of Dragon Boat Festival

There are many different legends about the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival. One of the most famous is the legend about Qu Yuan. According to legend, Qu Yuan was a minister of Chu. He was framed for his loyalty to the country and finally chose to commit suicide. In order to prevent fish and shrimp from eating Qu Yuan's body, people scattered rice grains in the river, and at the same time there was the sound of rowing dragon boats and paddling to ward off evil spirits. These traditional activities gradually evolved into the present Dragon Boat Festival.

The customs of the Dragon Boat Festival

There are many colorful customs in the Dragon Boat Festival. One of the most representative customs is eating zongzi. Zongzi is a kind of food cooked with glutinous rice and other fillings wrapped in bamboo leaves. Every year during the Dragon Boat Festival, people make zongzi by hand and then taste them with their families. There are many kinds of fillings for zongzi, including red beans, bean paste, meat and salted egg yolk. Eating zongzi is not only to commemorate Qu Yuan, but also to pray for peace and happiness.

Another important custom is dragon boat racing. Dragon boat race is one of the most distinctive activities of the Dragon Boat Festival. People will organize dragon boat teams and row long boats decorated with faucets to compete in rivers, lakes and seas. This activity not only tests the physical strength and skills of the participants, but also symbolizes unity and cooperation.

In addition, there are some other customs of the Dragon Boat Festival, such as hanging wormwood, wearing sachets and wearing colorful silk thread. These customs are all related to praying for health, peace and happiness.

How to celebrate Dragon Boat Festival

There are many different ways to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival. First, people will prepare zongzi. Making zongzi is a technical activity, but it is also a reunion and parent-child activity. The family will make zongzi together and then taste delicious food together. In addition, you can also participate in the dragon boat race or watch the race. Dragon boat race is a very exciting and interesting activity, which can bring people a sense of joy and unity.

In addition, people can also visit temple fairs during the Dragon Boat Festival. At the temple fair, you can taste all kinds of traditional foods, watch wonderful performances, and buy zongzi and other special holiday products. There will also be various traditional cultural activities at the temple fair, such as lion dance and dragon dance, which will bring joy and entertainment to people.