Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival

the Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Double Fifth Festival

celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth moon of the lunar calendar

commemorates a scholarly government official named Chu Yuan the dragon boat race

Dragon Boat Race (1)

Dragon Boat Festival is highlighted by the dragon boat races, in which competing teams drive their boats forward rowing to the rhythm of pounding drums. This lively and colorful tradition has continued unbroken for centuries to the present day.

a traditional sport activity with long history.

Dragon Boat Race (1)

a traditional sport activity with long history.

The most popular of the legend is the story of Qu Yuan during the Warring States Period (475-221BC), who was a great patriotic poet and protested against the corrupted regime by jumping into the Miluo River.

Dragon Boat Race (2)

Local fishermen, upon seeing their beloved poet's act of courage, raced out with their boats in an attempt to save him. To prevent his body from being eaten by the fish, they beat the waters furiously with their paddles and threw rice dumplings wrapped in silk into the river to distract the fish.

Tzung Tzu a very popular dish during the Dragon Boat festival consists of rice dumplings with meat,

peanut, egg yolk, or other fillings wrapped in bamboo leaves

meant to remind us of the village fishermen scattering rice across the water of the Mi Luo river in order to appease the river dragons so that they would not devour Chu Yuan.

Ay Taso/moxa

Many Chinese consider this time of year an especially dangerous time when extra efforts must be made to protect their family from illness. Families will hang various herbs, called Ay

Tsao, on their door for protection.

Hsiang Bao

Hsiang Bao are also worn.

These sachets contain various

fragrant medicinal herbs thought

to protect the wearer from illness.

realgar wine

The drinking of realgar wine is thought to remove poisons from the body. People drink realgar wine to protect themselves from illness.