Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is one of the most important holidays in China. It includes many traditions and customs that have been passed down generations for thousands of years. Why is it still so popular? And what lies behind the festival's long history?

Legends, food and games mark Duanwu Festival

Legends, food and games: the perfect combination to exemplify the Chinese holiday spirit.

Celebrated for thousands of years, there are many legends about the origins of Dragon Boat Festival. The most famous and widely accepted is the story of a poet from the 3rd century BC.

Qu Yuan was minister of the State of Chu and one of China's earliest known poets. Continually slandered by politicians, he was exiled by the king. Without Qu's guidance, the state was soon invaded by a neighboring dynasty. Upon hearing the news, Qu Yuan threw himself into the Miluo River...on the 5th day of fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar.

Legend has it that people living near the river used their boats to try to save him. They also wrapped rice in bamboo leaves and threw them into the river to prevent fish from eating his body.

These two traditions remain central to the festival to this day. But there's now some historical evidence to suggest it existed even before the time of Qu Yuan.

The festival also marks a change of seasons...a time when insects begin to breed and diseases spread. People would traditionally hang mugwort above their doors to repel pests and evil spirits. Children carried a perfume pouch with dried mugwort and other herbs inside to ward off evil spirits.

Whatever the true origins, Dragon Boat Festival combines many unique traditions and customs...and as always, it's a great excuse to relax and celebrate.

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