The tradition of celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival has a history of over 2,300 years. There are some English terms commonly associated with the festival, such as “Dragon Boat” for the dragon boat racing. This article will guide readers through an understanding of this traditional Chinese cultural festival beyond just dragon boat racing, using both Chinese and English. We will explore the activities of the Dragon Boat Festival and the culture of gift-giving associated with it. Continue reading to learn more.
The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional holiday which occurs on the 5th day of the 5th month of the traditional Chinese calendar. It is also referred to in some English sources as Double Fifth Festival which alludes to the date as in the original Chinese name.There are few different theories about the origins, and there’s a common “dragon boats.” . One of the main saying, why do we still celebrate Dragon Boat Festival ? Pray to GOD from river for peaceful . Some other origins all begin in summer times, you may heard of Qu Yuan, Wu Zixu. no matter their stories are true or not. In Taiwan, we celebrate this day like a holiday.
The Dragon Boat Festival celebrations primarily include rowing dragon boats and experiencing the vibrant atmosphere at dragon boat races. Alternatively, a more sedate celebration might involve making rice dumplings (zongzi) with elders and then enjoying the dumplings together. Drinking “noon water,” which is water drawn at noon on the day of the festival, is believed to promote health. Other traditional activities include making and hanging fragrant pouches, as well as decorating doors with mugwort.
The Dragon Boat Festival in 2024 falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month as usual, with the corresponding Gregorian dates varying each year. However, a national holiday is observed for one day. In 2024, the Dragon Boat Festival will feature a three-day weekend from Saturday, June 8th to Monday, June 10th. If you are a working professional, you will have a three-day break. If you’re considering having guests over or planning to give gifts for the Dragon Boat Festival this year, remember to plan ahead!
About a week after the festivals in Hong Kong, special International Dragon Boat Races are held all over Asia and the United States. In the U.S., they can be found in Boston, New York, and Colorado. Currently, there are 68 countries which are members of the International Dragon Boat Federation, showing the popularity of the race.
The dragon boat festival is a fun, boisterous holiday. In most parts of China, the weather is quite good at this time of year, and people congregate outside on the banks of rivers and lakes to enjoy the fine weather while watching traditional dragon boat races.
The Dragon Boat Festival stands alongside the Spring Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival as one of the three major traditional holidays in China. This festival not only provides a national holiday for family and friends to gather, but it also serves as an excellent opportunity to exchange gifts and express emotions. During this holiday, people enhance their relationships by giving gifts and sending greetings, reflecting the traditional cultural values of cherishing family and friendship. This also helps to strengthen and develop connections mid-year. Common gifts include zongzi (rice dumplings), tea, and health foods, which not only symbolize the festival but also convey the giver’s thoughtfulness and care. Additionally, many businesses and organizations take this opportunity to express gratitude to their employees and clients, delivering festival blessings through carefully selected gifts.
