The Dragon Boat Festival
2018-6-18 Chinese Traditional festival
A statutory holiday in China, Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month according to the Chinese lunar calendar.
Celebration usually includes eating zongzi, a sticky rice treat with various fillings wrapped in bamboo leaves; drinking realgar wine, and dragon boat racing.
(zongzi)
The festival commemorates the death of Chinese poet and minister Qu Yuan during the Warring States period between 475 and 221 B.C..
Dragon boat races symbolize people's attempts to rescue and recover Qu Yuan's body from the river. These races also demonstrate the virtues of cooperation and teamwork.
Since ancient times in China, this festival has been observed to encourage the rain gods and to ward off illnesses.
Presently, Dragon Boat Festival is growing in popularity around the world due to growth of dragon boat racing as a sport.
It is also an important part of Chinese culture.
English editor: Blue Yan
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