Google trend - Dragon Boat Festival

Dragon Boat Festival - 10 things to know with detail

• Origin: The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a traditional holiday that originated in China over 2,000 years ago. It is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, which usually falls in June.
• Legend of Qu Yuan: The festival is held in honor of the ancient poet and minister Qu Yuan, who lived during the Warring States period in China. Qu Yuan was a loyal and patriotic official who drowned himself in the Miluo River in protest against corrupt government officials.
• Dragon boat racing: One of the main highlights of the Dragon Boat Festival is the dragon boat races, where teams of rowers paddle in long, narrow boats decorated with dragon heads and tails. The races symbolize the search for Qu Yuan's body in the river and are meant to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.
• Zongzi: Another important tradition of the Dragon Boat Festival is eating zongzi, a sticky rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves. Zongzi is filled with various ingredients such as pork, mushrooms, and chestnuts, and is steamed or boiled before being eaten.
• Realgar wine: Another traditional custom of the festival is drinking realgar wine, a type of rice wine infused with the toxic mineral realgar. It is believed that drinking realgar wine on the day of the festival can ward off evil spirits and promote good health.
• Hanging calamus and wormwood: In some regions of China, people hang calamus and wormwood on their doors or windows during the Dragon Boat Festival to ward off evil spirits and protect against illness.
• Traditional activities: In addition to dragon boat racing, zongzi eating, and drinking realgar wine, the festival also includes other traditional activities such as wearing colorful silk threads to ward off evil spirits, and making and wearing fragrant sachets to repel insects.
• International celebration: The Dragon Boat Festival is not only celebrated in China but also in other countries with significant Chinese populations, such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. It has also become a popular cultural event in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia.
• UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: In 2009, the Dragon Boat Festival was recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, highlighting its cultural significance and importance in Chinese tradition.
• Modern celebrations: In addition to traditional customs, modern celebrations of the Dragon Boat Festival often include music and dance performances, food stalls selling various delicacies, and other festive activities to commemorate this ancient holiday.