Dragon Boat Festival
May Zongzi Aroma, Wishing You Health and Safety on Duanwu
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Origin of the Dragon Boat Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanyang Festival, Double Fifth Festival, Dragon Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Zhengyang Festival, Bathing Orchid Festival, Tianzhong Festival, and many other names, is a traditional folk festival in China. It originated from celestial worship and has evolved from the ancient dragon totem sacrifices.
Originally established by the ancestors of the Wu and Yue people in southern China, the Dragon Boat Festival was a day dedicated to worshipping their dragon ancestors. It began with the ancient ancestors choosing a 鈥渄ragon ascension鈥 day for offerings, incorporating summer customs of 鈥渄isease prevention and health preservation,鈥 and viewing the Dragon Boat Festival as an 鈥渆vil month, evil day,鈥 which can be traced back to the central plains of northern China, where it was linked to historical figures like Qu Yuan. The customs of the Dragon Boat Festival can be said to be a product of the fusion of northern and southern traditions.
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Customs of the Dragon Boat Festival
Flying Kites: Kites made with bamboo frames covered in paper or silk are flown by attaching a long string. Taking advantage of the wind, they float into the sky, representing a simple form of aerial inspiration. In southern China, the act of children flying kites during the Dragon Boat Festival is referred to as 鈥渞eleasing misfortune.鈥
Tying Five-Color Threads: In traditional Chinese culture, the five colors representing the five directions and five elements鈥攂lue, red, white, black, and yellow鈥攁re considered auspicious. Tying five-color threads around the arm during the Dragon Boat Festival was once a popular custom.
Drenching in Dragon Boat Water: The heavy rainfall around the Dragon Boat Festival is referred to as Dragon Boat water, Duanyang water, giving birth to dragon water, and various other names. This water is believed to be auspicious and has protective qualities.
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Manshen鈥檚 Dragon Boat Festival
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