Duanwu Festival, also known as Duanyang Festival, Chongwu Festival, Wuzhi Festival, etc., is one of the traditional Chinese festivals. On the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar every year, people make zongzi (rice dumplings), race dragon boats, hang mugwort and identify poisonous weeds and a series of other customary activities to commemorate Qu Yuan and express their admiration for their ancestors. In this article, we will introduce the traditional customs and culture of the Dragon Boat Festival and show some simple handbook pictures.

Origin of Dragon Boat Festival

The origin of Dragon Boat Festival is related to Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan was a minister of the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn Period in China, who threw himself into a river to protest against the political corruption and foreign invasion of the time. To prevent fish and shrimp from nibbling on his body, the people went down to the river to rescue him and placed food such as rice and eggs on the boat for worship. Later, this custom was passed down and became an important activity of the Dragon Boat Festival.

Customs of the Dragon Boat Festival

There are many customs of the Dragon Boat Festival, and the following are some of the common activities:

1. Dragon Boat Racing: Dragon boat races are one of the most characteristic activities of the Dragon Boat Festival. Dragon boat is a long wooden boat with a dragon head carved on the bow and a dragon tail on the stern. Dragon boat racing originated in the water towns of southern China and has now become an international sport.

2. Eat Zongzi: Zongzi is a kind of food wrapped with glutinous rice and various fillings. Traditional fillings for zongzi include pork, salted egg yolk and bean paste. Eating zongzi is also an important custom of the Dragon Boat Festival.

3. Identifying Poisonous Herbs: On the Dragon Boat Festival, people pick mugwort and use it to drive away the plague and evil spirits. At the same time, people also identify poisonous herbs to protect their health.

Culture of Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival is not only a festival, but also a part of traditional Chinese culture. Here are some cultural elements related to the Dragon Boat Festival:

1. Qu Yuan: Qu Yuan is an important figure in Chinese culture, and his poetry is regarded as one of the treasures of ancient Chinese literature. The story of Qu Yuan has also become one of the themes of the Dragon Boat Festival.

2. Dragon Boat: Dragon boat is a part of traditional Chinese culture, which represents the spirit of courage and unity in China. Dragon boat racing has also become a symbol of Chinese culture.

3. Zongzi: Zongzi is one of the traditional Chinese foods, which represents the unity and friendship of the Chinese people.

Duanwu Festival Handbook Pictures

Here are some simple Dragon Boat Festival handbook pictures for your reference:

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