culture

dragon boat raceDragon boat race is one of the most distinctive activities of the Dragon Boat Festival to commemorate Qu Yuan’s drowning and prevent fish and shrimp from eating his body. The original intention is to imitate the dragon king in the river and pray for the blessing and exorcism of the water god.

eat ZongziThe main traditional food of the Dragon Boat Festival is Zongzi, which is made by wrapping glutinous rice and various fillings such as meat and bean paste with Zongzi leaves. Eating Zongzi during the Dragon Boat Festival means to ward off evil spirits and plague and pray for health and peace.

Hanging wormwood and calamusPeople will hang wormwood and calamus at the door or at home, thinking that they have the function of exorcising evil spirits, and sometimes they will fumigate their rooms with wormwood leaves to drive away mosquitoes and epidemics and prevent the spread of diseases.

DaixiangnangIn some areas, people put herbs and wormwood into sachets, tie them on their bodies or hang them on doors to ward off evil spirits and pray for blessings. The sachets contain cinnabar, realgar and fragrant medicine, which are fragrant and exquisite after wearing.

Wear colorful ropeIn the traditional culture of China, the five colors "blue, red, white, black and yellow" symbolizing the five elements are regarded as auspicious colors, and multicolored ropes are woven from silk threads of five colors, representing auspiciousness and blessings.

Drink realgar wineDuring the Dragon Boat Festival, people in some places will drink realgar wine as a custom, thinking that drinking realgar wine can protect their health and pray for peace and well-being on this special day of Dragon Boat Festival.

spring outingThe Dragon Boat Festival is in May, the weather is pleasant, and everything in nature is flourishing. People often take this opportunity to go to the countryside to play, fly kites, enjoy lotus flowers, enjoy flowers and grass, soak mugwort, etc., so as to cheer up their mood and relieve their pressure.

Worship the gods and ancestorsWorship to God and ancestors is one of the important customs of Dragon Boat Festival, and ancestor worship is a custom of inheriting filial piety. We pray for and repay their shelter and blessing through sacrifice, hoping that ancestors will bless the family’s peace, health and happiness.

Editor: Qi Yongtao

Editor: Han Wei