The origins and customs of the Dragon Boat Festival carry a rich traditional culture

The Dragon Boat Festival is an important traditional festival in China, falling on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. It is also known as the Duan Yang Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Double Fifth Festival, among other names. Together with the Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival, it is known as one of China's four major traditional festivals. It has been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and it is also the first Chinese festival to be included in the world intangible cultural heritage list.

As for the origins of the Dragon Boat Festival, the most widely circulated account is that it commemorates the patriotic poet Qu Yuan of the Warring States period. Legend has it that after Qu Yuan threw himself into the river, the people raced out in boats to search for him and threw rice into the river, which over time evolved into the customs of dragon boat racing and eating zongzi. In addition, some views hold that the Dragon Boat Festival originated from ancient sacrifices to the dragon totem, or that it is related to the tradition of warding off evil and epidemics during midsummer.

The customs of the Dragon Boat Festival are rich and varied, and the styles differ from place to place. Dragon boat racing is the most representative activity, with the sound of drums and boats racing against each other, creating a very lively scene. In terms of food, eating zongzi is a common custom in all regions, and the north and south each have their own preferences when it comes to salty and sweet flavors. In addition, folk practices include hanging mugwort and calamus at the door, having children wear sachets, and drinking realgar wine, all of which express the beautiful wish of warding off evil and harm and praying for peace and health.

The Dragon Boat Festival is not just a holiday; it also carries deep cultural connotations. In many places, people greet each other with wishes for a healthy Dragon Boat Festival, expressing their wishes for peace and health. Today, during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, besides taking part in traditional activities such as making zongzi and watching dragon boat races, people often gather with their families, allowing the ancient customs to continue to be passed down in modern life.