The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a traditional cultural holiday celebrated in China and some other East Asian countries. Here is a mind-map of the main topics related to this festival:
Date
- Falls on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month
- Usually occurs in May or June
- Related to the summer solstice
History
- Originated over 2000 years ago in China
- Commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a poet and politician who drowned himself in the Miluo River
- Also associated with dragon worship and warding off evil spirits
Customs
- Dragon boat racing: teams paddle ornately decorated boats to the beat of drummers, striving to reach the finish line first
- Eating zongzi: sticky rice dumplings stuffed with different fillings (such as meat, eggs, or beans), wrapped in bamboo leaves, and steamed or boiled
- Drinking realgar wine: a yellow-colored alcoholic beverage made from fermented cereals and the poisonous mineral realgar, believed to repel insects and prevent diseases
- Hanging calamus and mugwort: aromatic plants used to drive away bugs and promote good health, often placed above doors or bedposts
- Tying five-color silk thread: tying delicate threads around the wrists of friends and family to symbolize good luck and ward off evil spirits
Significance
- Promotes national unity and cultural heritage
- Encourages teamwork and physical fitness
- Honors Qu Yuan's contributions to literature and politics
- Celebrates good harvest, prosperity, and safety
