What is the traditional Chinese dragon boat festival?

The traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a cultural holiday that is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month in China. The festival is widely observed in China, as well as in other parts of Asia and around the world.

The Dragon Boat Festival has a history of over 2,000 years and is rooted in Chinese folklore and legends. The most well-known legend behind the festival is that of Qu Yuan, a poet and statesman who lived during the Warring States period of ancient China. When his country was conquered by a rival state, Qu Yuan threw himself into the Miluo River in despair. The local people rushed to the river to save him but were unsuccessful. In an effort to keep fish and evil spirits away from his body, they beat drums and splashed the water with their paddles, which is said to be the origin of dragon boat racing.

Today, dragon boat racing is one of the most popular activities during the festival. Teams of paddlers race colorful boats that are decorated with dragon heads and tails. In addition to the boat races, the festival is also celebrated with other customs and traditions, such as eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), drinking realgar wine, and hanging Chinese calamus and moxa leaves around the house to ward off evil spirits.