The Dragon Boat Festival, or Duanwu Festival, falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which corresponds to Friday June 3 this year. As one of the four traditional festivals in China, it boasts a history of more than 2,000 years. In September 2009, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscribed it on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

 

What are the greetings and wishes?

 

Different from the greetings of other festivals, people usually do not say "Happy Dragon Boat Festival," because the ancients believed that the fifth month of the lunar calendar was an "evil month" and associated with illness. Therefore, its traditions center around exorcising evil spirits and praying for good health.

 

If you want to send festive greetings and wishes to your Chinese friends, you can copy "祝端午安康", meaning "I wish you good health on the Dragon Boat Festival."

 

What is the symbolic food?

 

Eating sticky rice dumplings, or Zongzi, during the Dragon Boat Festival is a deeply rooted custom, just like Westerners eat roast turkey on Thanksgiving Day. Due to the fact that eating habits vary across China, Zongzi has gradually developed into two groups, namely Sweet-North and Salty-South. Zongzi in northern China mostly use red dates, red bean paste or preserved fruits as fillings, making for a sweet flavor, while the southern China prefer Zongzi with a slightly salty flavor. For example, the fillings of their Zongzi include pork or egg yolks.

 

(Photo by Mae Mu on Unsplash)

 

Here in Chengdu, you can also enjoy Zongzi with special flavors, whose fillings include beef and Sichuan peppercorns or hotpot-flavored pork. Chengdu's Ma'an Road, Jinniu District, is a must-go place to pick your Zongzi. With a 30-year Zongzi-selling history and a wide variety of Zongzi, it is also known as the "Zongzi Street."

 

（Photo by Li Anqing)

 

What are the festival-themed activities?

 

Dragon boat racing is an indispensable part of the Dragon Boat Festival. It used to be a religious event but has developed into a competitive activity after being transformed by the people of the past dynasties. During the festival, you can watch dragon boat racing and experience the magic blend of traditional custom and sportive vibe. 

 

(Photo by Samuel Wong on Unsplash)

 

Another important custom is to hang wormwood and sweet sedge on the front doors whose unique fragrance is believed to play a role in repelling mosquitoes. In addition, their medicinal value enables them to help cure diseases and ward off illnesses. Therefore, the ancients believed that hanging wormwood and sweet sedge during the Dragon Boat Festival is auspicious. You can go to the wet market to pick some and hang them on your front door upside down to pray for good health.

 

（Photo by Chengdu.cn）

 

Edited by Wu Cuiyao