The Dragon Boat Festival: A Story-filled Celebration

The Dragon Boat Festival happens on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. It’s a super old festival with a touching backstory. Long ago, there was a guy named Qu Yuan. He was a brilliant poet and a loyal official during the Warring States period. When his country started falling apart, he was so heartbroken that he jumped into the Miluo River. The villagers, who respected him a lot, tossed zongzi into the water to keep fish from biting his body. They also rushed out in boats to look for him. That’s how the festival’s traditions began.
There are so many fun things to do during this festival! Eating zongzi is a must. These are rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves, and they come in all kinds of flavors. Some are sweet, like the ones with red bean paste, while others are savory with pork inside. The dragon boat races are the highlight—they’re so exciting! Teams paddle as fast as they can while people on the banks shout and cheer. People also hang mugwort leaves on their doors, wear little sachets that smell amazing, and sometimes drink realgar wine. They believe these things can scare away bad luck and keep everyone healthy.
The Dragon Boat Festival isn’t just about remembering the past. It’s a time for families and friends to get together, have fun, and keep their traditions alive.