Happy Dragon Boat Festival Holiday!

Dragon Boat Festival: A Millennium-Old Chinese Cultural Celebration
 

Dragon Boat Festival: A Timeless Chinese Tradition

On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, China and Chinese communities worldwide celebrate the significant traditional holiday - the Dragon Boat Festival. With over 2,000 years of history, this festival has been inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Origins: The Legend of Patriotic Poet Qu Yuan
The most famous origin story relates to patriotic poet Qu Yuan. In 278 BC, Qu drowned himself in despair after his homeland fell. Local people raced in boats to save him and threw rice balls (which evolved into zongzi) into the river to protect his body from fish, giving rise to the dragon boat racing and zongzi-eating traditions.

Three Core Traditions

Dragon Boat Racing
Decorated with dragon-headed prows, boats race to drumbeats. This memorial activity for Qu Yuan has now become an international sport popular in over 80 countries.

Eating Zongzi
Pyramid-shaped sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves, available in sweet (red bean/jujube) and savory (pork/salted egg yolk) varieties.

Warding Off Evil

• Hanging Artemisia

• Wearing scented sachets

Modern Significance
The festival not only preserves culture but also connects the world. Global dragon boat competitions and innovative zongzi flavors are breathing new life into traditions.
"Wishing you a healthy Dragon Boat Festival!"