The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival, is a traditional holiday in China.
It is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, which usually falls in late May or early June.
The festival has a history of over 2,000 years and is rich in culture and tradition.
One of the most popular traditions during the Dragon Boat Festival is eating zongzi, a glutinous rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves. The fillings of zongzi vary from region to region, but typically include Meat, salted egg yolk, and beans. It is said that zongzi originated as a way to honor the great poet and statesman Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in the Miluo River during the Warring States period (475-221 BC).
In addition to eating zongzi, people also race dragon boats on this day. A dragon boat is a long and narrow canoe-like boat decorated with a dragon's head and tail. The races, which usually take place in rivers or lakes, involve teams of rowers paddling to the beat of a drum.
Other customs associated with the Dragon Boat Festival include hanging mugwort and calamus leaves around the house, wearing perfume pouches, and making of sachets filled with perfumed herbs. These customs are said to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck and prosperity.
The Dragon Boat Festival is also a time for family reunions, and people often visit their hometowns to spend time with relatives. Children especially enjoy the holiday, as they get to wear colorful clothes, make and eat zongzi, and watch the exciting dragon boat races.
In 2024, the Dragon Boat Festival will fall on June 10, with June 11 being a regular workday in China.
SALI company wishes all our customers a happy and enjoyable holiday filled with family, tradition, and good food.
