Cultural Celebrations
What is the Dragon Boat Festival?
Is a traditional Chinese celebration and national public holiday, held on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which corresponds to late May or June in the Gregorian calendar.
In 2024 (in Australia) this date will be Monday 10 June.
Where did the Dragon Boat Festival Originate from?
The fifth lunar month is considered an unlucky and poisonous month, as the five poisonous creatures emerge. The fifth day of the fifth month is an especially dangerous day. As a result, people in ancient times regarded it as an important time to prevent diseases and keep evil spirits away.
(Note: traditionally, the five creatures refer to centipedes, scorpions, snakes, toads, and spiders.)
Another Origin - Who Was Qu Yuan?
Many believe that Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated to commemorate the death of Qu Yuan, a famous Chinese poet, folklorist, and government minister.
Qu Yuan (in English "Yuan Qu", as the family name is Qu, and the personal name is Yuan) was an aristocrat who lived in the State of Chu during the Warring States Period.
During the Warring States Period, China was divided into seven sperate states, or kingdoms. These states were the Qin, located in the far west; the Qi, which was situated in the east; the Chu, in the south; the Yan, in the northeast, around modern-day Beijing; the Three Jin, states which succeeded the Jin Dynasty, (the Han state in the south; the Wei state in what is modern day Henan Province; the Zhao state in the northeast).
These seven states were constantly at odds with one another, conquering and being conquered, making and breaking alliances.
From a noble family and with great talent, he ascended the ranks quickly, reaching a high position by his late twenties. His political beliefs alienated him and caused controversy, which ended in his exile. During his exile, he turned his immense talents to poetry and verse. It was in exile where he died by drowning on the fifth day of the fifth month.
According to the legend, after Qu Yuan's death in the Miluo River, local villagers rowed out on the river to search for his body, but failed.
Celebrations
Dragon Boat racing originated in southern central China more than 2500 years ago, and has a rich history of ancient ceremonial and ritualistic traditions. This is sometimes connected to villagers who rowed out on the river to search for Qu Yuan.
Eating zongzi (sticky dumplings), a traditional food. Families would make sticky rice dumplings.
Hanging Mugwort and Calamus to combat the diseases found at the end of spring and beginning of summer. The mugwort fragrance deters flies and mosquitoes, while calamus is an aquatic plant with similar effects. They are also thought to bring good luck.
Drinking Realgar wine, a Chinese alcoholic drink consisting of fermented cereals and powdered realgar.
Wearing a five-thread bracelet, in some regions of China, people, especially children, wear silk ribbons or threads of 5 colours (blue, red, yellow, white, and black, representing the five elements) on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival.
Fur further information, see the following websites:
https://www.chinesemuseum.com.au/event/dragon-boat-festival-day-2024
&
https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival.htm