Explainer: The Story Behind Dragon Boat Festival

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By Cathy Wu

The Explainer is where we explain an aspect of Chinese life. Simple. So now you know.

Dragon Boat Festival, aka 'Duanwujie' (端午节), is a traditional Chinese holiday that commemorates the life and death of the famous scholar and poet Qu Yuan, who lived during the Warring States period of the Zhou dynasty around 300 BC. The festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese lunar calendar every year. This year, it falls on June 7.

History of Dragon Boat Festival

Image via Wikimedia Commons

According to Chinese folkore, Qu contributed a lot to society, having served in high offices. However, he fell out of favor with the emperor, was accused of treason and eventually sent into exile. During his time in exile, Qu wrote a lot of poetry. Unappreciated and unhappy, he drowned himself in the Miluo river on May 5 of the lunar calendar in 278 BC after the Qin state captured the Chu capital of Ying.

According to legend, the local villagers highly admired Qu. In an attempt to save him, or at least find his body, they raced out onto the river in boats — which is said to be the origin of dragon boat races.

Dragon boat races

Image via Hsiung/Flickr

As the name indicates, the centerpiece of Dragon Boat Festival is the dragon boat race (赛龙舟, 'sai long zhou'). In many cities across China, dragon boat races are organized to mark the day. To the beat of drums, players row their boat forward.

Zongzi: A classic holiday treat

Image via lrs1108/Flickr

Legend has it that packets of rice were thrown into the river to prevent the fish from eating Qu's body. Gradually, people took to eating 'zongzi' (粽子), glutinous rice with different fillings wrapped in bamboo leaves, around this time each year. Popular fillings include yolk and meat in Shanghai, kidney beans and jujubes.

Image via Song Zhen/Flickr

A time to fend off diseases

Image via booknews/Flickr

According to Chinese tradition, people can easily come down with illness around Dragon Boat Festival, a warm season when bacteria and insects are most active. Because of this, many measures are taken to keep diseases at bay. Families often hang Ay Tsao, a wormwood-like herb with a potent odor, on their door. Some also drink wine as a tonic. Scented sachets stuffed with fragrant medicinal herbs are also popular.

Image via bangdoll/Flickr

[Top image via Mainland Tour]

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