The Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th month of the Chinese lunar calendar. This festival has a history of over 2,000 years and is widely observed in China and among Chinese communities worldwide.

Table of Contents

1. When is the Dragon Boat Festival?
2. The History of the Dragon Boat Festival
3. What Do People Do on This Day?
4. Who was Qu Yuan

When is the Dragon Boat Festival?

The Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) is celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th month of the Chinese lunar calendar. Since the lunar calendar is different from the Gregorian calendar, the festival date changes each year.

The following is the list of the Dragon Boat Festival from 2020 to 2049.

The History of the Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) has a rich history spanning over 2,000 years. Its origins are rooted in legends and agrarian traditions. While it is most famously associated with the patriotic poet Qu Yuan, the festival also incorporates elements of ancient Chinese rituals to ward off evil spirits and celebrate the arrival of summer.

The festival dates back to the Warring States period (475–221 BCE) in ancient China. It is closely associated with the lunar calendar and was originally a ritual to honor water and dragon deities, as dragons were believed to control rivers and rainfall. The festival also marked the arrival of summer and was a time to ward off diseases and evil spirits.

The most famous origin story of the Dragon Boat Festival is tied to Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet and statesman from the state of Chu during the Warring States period. Qu Yuan was a loyal advisor to the king, but he was exiled after being slandered by corrupt officials. When the Chu capital was invaded by the state of Qin in 278 BCE, Qu Yuan, in despair, drowned himself in the Miluo River.

Local villagers raced out in their boats to save him or retrieve his body, which is said to have inspired the tradition of dragon boat racing. To prevent fish from eating Qu Yuan's body, they threw zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) into the river. This act evolved into the custom of eating zongzi during the festival.

Over the centuries, the Dragon Boat Festival evolved from a local ritual into a nationwide celebration. During the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), the festival became more formalized, and the customs of dragon boat racing and eating zongzi spread across China.

In the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), the festival gained even more popularity, and its association with Qu Yuan became firmly established. The festival was celebrated not only as a time to honor Qu Yuan but also as a day to promote health and cultural identity.

What Do People Do on This Day?

The Dragon Boat Festival is a vibrant occasion celebrated with a variety of customs and activities that reflect its historical and cultural significance.

Dragon boat racing is the most iconic activity of the festival, commemorating the local people's efforts to save Qu Yuan by racing to retrieve his body.

Families prepare and eat zongzi, which was made using the sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves. This tradition honors the legend of locals throwing rice into the river to distract fish from Qu Yuan's body.

Bundles of mugwort and calamus are hung on doors and windows. These plants are believed to ward off evil spirits and protect against disease.

In traditional Chinese medicine, realgar wine is believed to detoxify the body and protect against diseases, and adults drink the wine for its supposed medicinal benefits.

Like many traditional Chinese festivals, the Dragon Boat Festival is a time for family reunions. Many people take advantage of the public holiday to travel or participate in community events.

Who was Qu Yuan

Qu Yuan (屈原, 340–278 BCE) was a renowned poet and patriot from ancient China. He lived during the Warring States Period (475–221 BCE), a time of great political turmoil and competition among the states.

Qu Yuan was born in the state of Chu, one of the powerful states during the Warring States Period. He came from a noble family and was well-educated, with a passion for literature and governance.

Qu Yuan served as a high-ranking official and advisor to the king of Chu. He advocated for political reforms to strengthen the state. His progressive ideas and honesty gained him some support but also made him many enemies among the aristocracy and court officials.

Due to political intrigue and slander by jealous rivals, Qu Yuan was dismissed from his position and exiled by the king.

In 278 BCE, when the state of Chu was conquered by the Qin army, Qu Yuan was devastated by the loss of his homeland. In despair, he drowned himself in the Miluo River as an act of protest and patriotism, choosing death over witnessing the decline of his state. His final act symbolized his unwavering loyalty and love for his country.

Qu Yuan is considered one of the greatest poets in Chinese history. His works are part of the Chu Ci (Songs of Chu) anthology, which is a cornerstone of classical Chinese literature.

Qu Yuan's story became the inspiration for the Dragon Boat Festival, celebrated annually on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month.