When is the Dragon Boat Festival? Traditions and How is Dragon Boat Festival celebrated?

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When is the Dragon Boat Festival? The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday that is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.

The festival has a history of over 2,000 years and is believed to have originated in southern China. The festival is celebrated in honor of the famous poet and minister Qu Yuan, who lived during the Warring States period of ancient China. Qu Yuan was known for his loyalty to his country and his people, but when his country was conquered by a rival state, he drowned himself in the Miluo River as a symbol of his devotion.

The festival is named after the dragon boat races that take place on this day, which commemorate the search for Qu Yuan’s body by his followers who paddled out in boats. The boats are long and narrow, decorated with dragon heads and tails, and are manned by teams of rowers who paddle in unison to the beat of a drum.

In addition to the boat races, the Dragon Boat Festival is also marked by other customs and traditions, including the eating of sticky rice dumplings (zongzi) wrapped in bamboo leaves, drinking realgar wine, and hanging fragrant herbs and plants in front of houses to ward off evil spirits.

When is the Dragon Boat Festival?

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month in the Chinese calendar. This typically falls between late May and mid-June in the Gregorian calendar. In 2023, the Dragon Boat Festival will be celebrated on June 12th.

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When is the Dragon Boat Festival? How is Dragon Boat Festival celebrated?

Traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is celebrated in China and other parts of the world with many traditional activities and customs. Here are some of the main traditions of the festival:

  1. Dragon Boat Racing: One of the most popular activities during the festival is the dragon boat races. Teams of rowers paddle long, narrow boats decorated with dragon heads and tails in unison to the beat of a drum. The races are held on rivers and lakes, and spectators gather to cheer on their favorite teams.
  2. Eating Zongzi: Another tradition of the festival is to eat zongzi, a type of sticky rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves. The dumplings are typically filled with sweet or savory ingredients such as meat, beans, and nuts.
  3. Drinking Realgar Wine: Realgar wine, made from a type of yellow arsenic sulfide, is believed to have detoxifying properties and is often consumed during the festival. It is usually mixed with rice wine or other beverages and drunk in small amounts.
  4. Hanging Herbs and Plants: People often hang bundles of aromatic herbs and plants, such as mugwort and calamus, in their homes or on their doors to ward off evil spirits.
  5. Wearing Perfume Pouches: Small pouches filled with fragrant herbs or perfumes are worn around the neck or tied to clothing to repel insects and promote good health.
  6. Remembering Qu Yuan: The festival also honors the memory of Qu Yuan, a famous poet and statesman who lived during the Warring States period. In addition to the dragon boat races, people often recite his poems and hold memorial ceremonies in his honor.

When is the Dragon Boat Festival? How is Dragon Boat Festival celebrated?

How is the Dragon Boat Festival celebrated?

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is celebrated in China and other parts of the world with a variety of traditional activities and customs. Here is a brief overview of how the festival is celebrated:

  1. Dragon Boat Racing: The most popular activity during the festival is the dragon boat races, where teams of rowers paddle long, narrow boats decorated with dragon heads and tails in unison to the beat of a drum.
  2. Eating Zongzi: Another tradition of the festival is to eat zongzi, a type of sticky rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves. The dumplings are typically filled with sweet or savory ingredients such as meat, beans, and nuts.
  3. Drinking Realgar Wine: Realgar wine, made from a type of yellow arsenic sulfide, is believed to have detoxifying properties and is often consumed during the festival. It is usually mixed with rice wine or other beverages and drunk in small amounts.
  4. Hanging Herbs and Plants: People often hang bundles of aromatic herbs and plants, such as mugwort and calamus, in their homes or on their doors to ward off evil spirits.
  5. Wearing Perfume Pouches: Small pouches filled with fragrant herbs or perfumes are worn around the neck or tied to clothing to repel insects and promote good health.
  6. Remembering Qu Yuan: The festival also honors the memory of Qu Yuan, a famous poet and statesman who lived during the Warring States period. In addition to the dragon boat races, people often recite his poems and hold memorial ceremonies in his honor.
  7. Spending time with family: The Dragon Boat Festival is a time for families to get together, share a meal, and enjoy each other’s company.
  8. Festive Decorations: Homes and public places are often decorated with colorful banners, lanterns, and other festive decorations.
  9. Traditional Activities: Other traditional activities include playing traditional Chinese games, wearing traditional Chinese clothing, and making crafts such as paper dragons and lanterns.

When is the Dragon Boat Festival? How is Dragon Boat Festival celebrated?

Overall, the Dragon Boat Festival is a time for people to come together, enjoy traditional activities, and honor the rich cultural heritage of China. (Pulsar)

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