The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese festival with a history of more than two thousand years. It is generally believed to have originated in memory of the ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan (around 340-278 BC) was a person from the state of Chu during the Warring States period. Unable to realize his political ideals and powerless to save the state of Chu from destruction, he drowned himself in the Miluo River on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month after the state was conquered by the Qin state. Upon hearing the news, the local people took to their boats to search for Qu Yuan's body. To commemorate this great patriotic poet, the day has been designated as the Dragon Boat Festival.

People hang mugwort and calamus on their doors, wear fragrant sachets, and engage in activities such as dragon boat racing to hope for favorable weather and good fortune in the year ahead. There is also a strong emphasis on food.

Eating Zongzi

Eating zongzi during the Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional custom practiced in both the southern and northern parts of China. The south mostly enjoys meat-filled zongzi and alkaline zongzi, while the north is accustomed to sweet zongzi, such as eight-treasure zongzi, dates zongzi, and red bean paste zongzi, each with a distinct taste.

Wearing Fragrant Sachets

There is a certain etiquette to wearing fragrant sachets. The elderly, in hopes of preventing illness and promoting health, often prefer those shaped like peaches, apples, or dolls holding a rooster, symbolizing good fortune and family harmony. Children favor those shaped like birds and beasts. For young people, if they are in a passionate love affair, the affectionate girl would meticulously craft a unique sachet well in advance and present it to her lover before the festival.

Dragon Boat Racing

Dragon boat racing is widespread in the southern regions of China, while in the north, people often engage in land dragon boat racing or dragon boat dancing. During the races, there are often accompanying dragon boat songs. For instance, in Zigui, Hubei, the dragon boat races are accompanied by a complete set of vocal tunes, with lyrics and melodies that blend local folk songs and work chants, creating a powerful and moving sound.