History of dragon boat festival-Chinese Traditional Festivals

Dragon Boat Festival, an ancient traditional holiday originating from China’s Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC), boasts a history of over 2,000 years. Also known as Duanwu, Double Fifth, or Tianzhong Festival, it combines rituals of worship, ancestral reverence,祈福, evil-dispelling, festivities, and culinary traditions. Rooted in ancient astronomical worship, the festival evolved from rituals honoring dragons. During midsummer, the seven stars of the Azure Dragon constellation ascend to the zenith. This celestial alignment symbolizes the “Flying Dragon in the Sky” described in the I Ching. This auspicious timing solidified the dragon’s cultural significance in the festival’s traditions. Particularly through dragon boat races, integral to the history of Dragon Boat Festival.

Legends Behind Dragon Boat Festival

The festival’s origins remain debated, with theories including Qu Yuan, Wu Zixu, and Cao E. However, Qu Yuan’s story remains the most widely accepted in the history of Dragon Boat Festival.

1. Qu Yuan (340–278 BC)
   A patriotic poet from the Chu Kingdom during the Warring States Period. Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month after his homeland fell to the Qin army. To honor him, locals raced boats to retrieve his body and threw rice-filled bamboo tubes (early zongzi) into the river to deter fish. These acts evolved into today’s dragon boat races and zongzi-eating customs.
2. Wu Zixu (5th Century BC)
   A military strategist from the Wu Kingdom. Wu Zixu was forced to commit suicide after his warnings about the Yue Kingdom were ignored. Legend claims he asked for his eyes to be hung on the city gates to witness Wu’s downfall. Some regions commemorate his loyalty during the festival.
3. Cao E (Eastern Han Dynasty)
   A 14-year-old girl who drowned while searching for her father’s body in a river. Her filial piety led to the construction of temples in her honor. Her story is tied to the festival’s themes of remembrance.

When Is Dragon Boat Festival?

Celebrated annually on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the festival marks the arrival of summer’s peak heat. (“Duan” meaning “beginning,” and “Wu” linked to the midday sun). Historically, this date was considered an “unlucky” day associated with disease and evil spirits. Therefore, rituals for protection are often featured throughout the history of Dragon Boat Festival.

Customs and Traditions

Dragon Boat Festival customs fall into two categories: warding off misfortune and honoring traditions. Both categories play significant roles throughout the history of Dragon Boat Festival.

1. Dragon Boat Racing

• Originating from searches for Qu Yuan’s body, races now symbolize teamwork and cultural pride. Recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, dragon boat racing is a key part of the history of Dragon Boat Festival.

2. Eating Zongzi

• Sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves, originally thrown into rivers to protect Qu Yuan’s body. They are now a celebrated food throughout the history of Dragon Boat Festival.

3. Hanging Artemisia (Ai Cao)

• This aromatic herb is hung on doors to repel pests, purify air, and ward off evil. It is a tradition deeply embedded in the history of Dragon Boat Festival.

4. Five-Colored Silk Threads

• Worn on wrists or ankles to protect children from harm. Threads are discarded during summer rains to wash away bad luck. This represents another traditional practice in the history of Dragon Boat Festival.

5. Realgar Wine

• A medicinal wine dabbed on children’s ears and noses to deter venomous creatures. Realgar wine is a long-standing element in the history of Dragon Boat Festival.

6. Displaying Zhong Kui Imagery

• The demon-quelling deity’s画像 is displayed to protect homes from evil spirits. Zhong Kui’s imagery is significant in understanding the cultural history of Dragon Boat Festival.

Alternative Names

With over 20 regional names—including Poets’ Day, Dragon Day, and Herb Festival. The Dragon Boat Festival reflects China’s rich cultural diversity and the multifaceted history of Dragon Boat Festival.