Celebrating Dragon Boat Festival 2024: A Cultural Tradition in China

To be celebrated on the 10th of June 2024!

The Dragon Boat Festival 端午節, also known as Duanwu or Tuen Ng Jit Festival, is a traditional holiday commemorating the life and death of the famous Chinese scholar and poet Qu Yuan (Chu Yuan) for patriotism. It falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar.

Each year, China, Hong Kong, Macau and some countries around China as Vietnam and Korea, celebrate this commemoration.

The Origin of Dragon Boat Festival

The story best known in modern China holds that the festival commemorates the death of Qu Yuan (c. 340–278 BC), a poet and minister who lived during China’s Warring States period. He is a cadet member of the Chu Royal House, serving in high offices.

However, when the emperor decided to ally with the increasingly powerful state of Qin, Qu was ousted for opposing the alliance and even accused of treason. During his exile, Qu Yuan composed a great deal of poetry, expressing his affection and vision for China.

Twenty-eight years later, Qin took over Ying, the capital of Chu. In despair, Qu Yuan committed suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo River.

What is the Significance of the Dragon Boat Festival?

Many believe that Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated to commemorate the death of Qu Yuan. However, it is evident that the Dragon Boat Festival actually came before his death.

Its earliest origin is related to the fifth lunar month, known to ancients as an unlucky month and known to some as the month of poison.

During the early hot days of summer, people would easily fall ill, and epidemics spread. This made the month seem evil, so people in ancient times regarded it as an important time to prevent diseases and keep evil spirits away.

Therefore, Dragon Boat Festival was originally considered a traditional medical and health festival. It is traditionally a ceremonial festival for people to come against diseases and poisonous insects.

Today, the Dragon Boat Festival holds deep cultural and historical significance in China. It is a time for the Chinese to connect with their heritage, strengthen family bonds, and remember their ancestors. The festival also promotes unity, teamwork, and community spirit, bringing people together to celebrate their shared traditions.

How Do People Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival?

1. Dragon Boat Races

A dragon boat is a long, narrow boat with a dragon head at the front and a tail at the back.

The boats are usually made from bamboo but sometimes from other woods, such as pine or redwood.

The dragon head is painted with bright colours and has two eyes, which are actually holes for the rowers to look through.

Dragon boat races are a traditional part of Duanwu. During the races, dragon boat teams paddle harmoniously and hurriedly, accompanied by the sound of beating drums.

The races not only showcase the skill and teamwork of the participants but also symbolize the spirit of unity and determination.

It is said that the winning team will have good luck and happy life in the following year.

2. Eating Sticky Rice Dumplings

Zongzi 粽子 are Chinese glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves and the traditional food of the Dragon Boat Festival.

It may be made in many different ways with different ingredients and cooking methods.

Common filling ingredients include beansprouts, peanuts, dried dates, Chinese sausage, pork belly meat and mushroom slices.

Making zongzi is a labour-intensive process that requires skill and patience, often involving multiple generations of a family coming together to prepare these delicious treats.

The story goes that locals jumped into boats and paddled furiously out onto the river to save him, but when they realised their efforts were in vain, people threw rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves into the river to stop the fishes from feasting on Qu and ward off bad spirits from his drowned body.

3. Other Practices and Customs

Apart from dragon boat races and zongzi, the Dragon Boat Festival is associated with several other customs and practices.

People often hang up pouches of herbs, called “xiong huang,” on their doors to ward off evil spirits and protect their homes.

Additionally, some families display portraits of Qu Yuan and write his poems on paper, which are then burned as offerings.

The festival is also believed to be a time when evil spirits and diseases are more prevalent, so people take precautions by wearing colourful silk threads and herbs to ward off evil and ensure good health.

Understanding Holidays in China

China has become an economic powerhouse and a major market for many international brands. It has become a popular place for both importing and exporting goods, and many new startups are looking to the region for both suppliers and customers.

It is essential for businesses to be aware of the Chinese holidays and their dates, so as to make their business more favourable in the region. Why?

There are three things to consider:

Employees may not come to work during the festive season.
Your business partners or clients may not be available during the holidays.
This can cause some delays or disruptions in quoting, shipping, production, and procurement for the loss of 2-3 days approximately.

Other big holidays in China to look out for!

February – Lunar New Year

April – Qing Ming Festival

October – The Golden Week

Our Team is Here to Help!

ODM, together with our superb design agency, Mindsparkz, ensures that we are always ahead of the game to guarantee that you will get new and innovative products for your marketing campaigns and promotions.

During this big holiday in China, our office in Vietnam is still here to answer any of your inquiries. If you have any important requests, feel free to contact us by e-mail at [email protected].

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