The Festival of the Dragon Boat, also known as the Duanwu Festival or Tuen Ng Festival, is an important traditional holiday celebrated in China and other Chinese communities around the world. The festival takes place on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which usually falls between May and June in the Gregorian calendar. In 2023, it takes place between June 22nd and 24th.
The fifth lunar month is considered an unlucky month for the Chinese. It is common to hear that poisonous animals appeared in cities from the fifth day of the fifth month, such as snakes and scorpions. Supposedly, people also got sick more easily during this period. Thus, the Dragon Boat Festival is a way of escaping bad omens, in which the Chinese avoid bad luck with some celebratory habits.
The festival has an ancient and rich history, dating back more than 2,000 years to the Zhou dynasty. Its origin is believed to be related to the legend of the Chinese poet Qu Yuan, who lived during the Warring States period in the 3rd century BC. Qu Yuan was a patriot concerned about the fate of his country and, after being exiled, wrote many poems expressing his sadness and anguish. When his state was conquered by political rivals, in despair he drowned himself in the River Miluo.
It is said that the locals, who admired him, rushed out in their boats to save him. This is how the nationally famous boat races originated. When Yuan's body couldn't be found, people threw rice dumplings into the river so that the fish would eat them instead of the poet's body.
These practices have evolved over time and have become the traditions of the commemorative date. Nowadays, during the festival, people take part in dragon boat races, which are long, narrow boats decorated like dragons, accompanied by drumbeats to keep the rhythm. These races are extremely popular and attract large crowds.
Other traditions include eating zongzi rice dumplings, which are bamboo leaves stuffed with glutinous rice and various ingredients, and hanging mugwort leaves and scented sachets to ward off evil spirits and protect against illness. The Dragon Boat Festival is a festive and colorful celebration that highlights Chinese culture, promotes the spirit of teamwork and honors the memory of Qu Yuan and other Chinese heroes.
