Dragon boat festival 2024: The Dragon Boat Festival 2024, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a traditional holiday that originates from China. It is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which falls on June 14th this year. The festival is known for its exciting dragon boat races, delicious rice dumplings, and vibrant cultural activities.
One of the main highlights of the Dragon Boat Festival is the dragon boat races. Teams of paddlers compete in long, narrow boats decorated with dragon heads and tails. The races are not only thrilling to watch but also carry a deep cultural significance, as they are meant to commemorate the ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan.
Qu Yuan was a patriotic poet and minister in the Chu kingdom during the Warring States period. When the kingdom was conquered by a rival state, Qu Yuan was so devastated that he drowned himself in the Miluo River.
To prevent his body from being eaten by fish, people threw rice dumplings, called zongzi, into the river. This is why eating zongzi has become a traditional custom during the Dragon Boat Festival.
In addition to dragon boat races and zongzi, the festival is also a time for families to come together and celebrate. People often hang up pictures of Zhong Kui, a mythical Chinese figure believed to protect against evil spirits, and wear perfumed medicine bags to ward off illness.
Overall, the Dragon Boat Festival is a time for people to celebrate Chinese culture, enjoy delicious food, and participate in exciting activities. Whether you’re watching the dragon boat races, trying out different flavors of zongzi, or simply spending time with loved ones, the festival is sure to be a memorable experience for all.