Celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival
The Origins of the Dragon Boat Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese festival that is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. The festival commemorates the life and death of the poet Qu Yuan, who is said to have drowned himself in the Miluo River in 278 BC. After Qu Yuan's death, people began to race dragon boats in the river in an attempt to save his spirit.
Dragon Boat Races
Dragon boat races are a central part of the Dragon Boat Festival. These races are typically held on rivers or lakes, and they involve teams of paddlers racing in long, narrow boats decorated with dragon heads and tails.
Other Traditions
In addition to dragon boat races, the Dragon Boat Festival is also celebrated with a variety of other traditions, including:
- Eating zongzi, a type of glutinous rice dumpling
- Hanging mugwort and calamus leaves on doors to ward off evil spirits
- Wearing scented sachets to protect against disease
Conclusion
The Dragon Boat Festival is a vibrant and colorful festival that is celebrated by Chinese people all over the world. The festival is a time to remember the life and death of Qu Yuan, and to celebrate the coming of summer.
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