The Dragon Boat Festival
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Updated: 2004-01-16 15:49

Time:The fifth day of the fifth lunar month, which falls on July 4 in 2003.

Origins:The Chinese Dragon Boat Festival is also called "Duanyang," "Double 5th" or "Duan Wu." Early in the Zhou Dynasty (c. 11th century - 256 BC), it was customary to take a bath on the lunar May 5. The present day Dragon Boat Festival has its origins in this ancient custom and is still connected with getting wet. However, the origins of today's festival are more often connected to the great patriotic and literary figure Qu Yuan. During the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet of the state of Chu, was removed from office and sent into exile by the duke of Chu. In sorrow, Qu picked up a heavy stone and drowned himself in the Miluo River on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. The local people wrapped glutinous rice in mugwort leaves and threw the packages into the river to lure the shrimps, fish and crabs away from the remains of the deceased poet. The practice of throwing rice into a river to remember Qu Yuan gradually evolved into a custom.

Eating "zongzi":To show their respect for the great patriotic poet Qu Yuan, the Chinese make it a point to mark the anniversary of his death by eating zongzi, a pyramid-shaped dumpling made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves.

Dragon boat races:On the day of the festival, theatrical performances, dragon and lion dances, and other folk dances are staged on board boats. Boat races are also a part of the festivities. Dragon boat races in long, thin, canoe-like boats often sporting the head of a dragon on the prow, are a southern Chinese tradition.

Cleaning the house:The Dragon Boat Festival is also a cleaning festival. It is traditional for people to clean their houses on this day. It is also considered important to put up some leaves of mugwort or cattail on either side of the door, spray realgar water, and drink realgar liquor. These things are thought to prevent rot and kill bacteria to stop the spread of diseases.