Dragon Boat Festival: Racing for health and happiness

▲ What is the Dragon Boat Festival?

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is one of China's oldest and most celebrated traditions, with a history spanning over two millennia. True to its name, the festival is best known for its lively dragon boat races, where people gather to compete and cheer the racers on.

Traditionally, the festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. In 2025, it will be celebrated on May 31.

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▲ How popular are dragon boat races?

In recent years, dragon boat racing has surged in popularity, attracting both amateur and professional teams across China and around the world.

For instance, in 2024, the Suzhou Jinji Lake International Dragon Boat Race in Suzhou city, east China's Jiangsu province, drew 66 teams and 1,418 participants, including seven international teams from countries such as Austria, Germany, Russia, Singapore and Switzerland.

The sport's growing global appeal was further highlighted last year with the launch of the Frankfurt Dragon Boat Festival in Germany and the Prague Dragon Boat Festival in the Czech Republic.

▲ Why do people celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival?

The origins of the Dragon Boat Festival are deeply rooted in Chinese culture, with several theories explaining its rich history. One prominent view ties the festival to ancient dragon worship, where dragon boat racing was a symbolic tribute to the powerful dragon deity.

Another widely told folk tale associates the festival with the poet Qu Yuan (340–278 B.C.). According to legend, when Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River to mourn the fall of his state, local villagers raced out in their boats to search for him or recover his body. This urgent act of devotion is said to have evolved into today's dragon boat races.

In modern times, dragon boat racing has grown beyond its traditional roots, becoming a vibrant sport that merges China's cultural heritage with a contemporary competitive spirit.

The Dragon Boat Festival, typically observed in late May or early June, also coincides with a period when ancient Chinese communities feared natural disasters and illness. Consequently, people historically used the festival to pray for good health and safety for their families.

Today, the festival remains a moment to seek good fortune and celebrate prosperity. Falling close to the Summer Solstice, it also provides a lively break as China enters the height of summer heat.

▲ What other traditions are observed during the festival?

A rich tapestry of traditions and legends has been passed down through generations, adding depth to the Dragon Boat Festival's cultural significance.

------▼ Wrapping and eating 'Zongzi'  

One staple of the celebration is "zongzi," a beloved culinary treat closely tied to the festival. In ancient China, these traditional rice dumplings were originally made as offerings to honor ancestors and deities. 

Zongzi are distinctive for their pyramid shape, made from glutinous rice wrapped in reed or bamboo leaves and tied with colorful thread. Fillings vary by region and preference, ranging from sweet options like jujube and bean paste to savory choices such as fresh meat, ham and egg yolk.

------▼ Drinking realgar wine

Realgar wine, a distinctive Chinese liquor infused with realgar, played a practical role in ancient times. Realgar was valued as a pesticide to keep mosquitoes at bay during the hot summer months and was also believed to act as an antidote to various poisons. Today, drinking realgar wine has become a cherished Dragon Boat Festival tradition.

------▼ Hanging mugwort and calamus

During the festival, Chinese families often hang mugwort and calamus above their doors, mainly to repel insects. In ancient times, it was also widely believed that displaying mugwort, calamus or even pomegranate flowers could ward off misfortune and drive away evil spirits.

------▼ Wearing colored braids and perfumed pouches

It's also common for parents to make perfumed pouches or colorful braids for their children during the festival. This tradition is rooted in the belief that wearing these items provides protection against evil spirits and illness.

These small, intricately designed pouches are filled with fragrant herbs or medicinal ingredients and are typically tied to children's clothing. The colorful braids, traditionally made from five different colors of thread, are fastened around the wrist.