The May Festival is one of the important traditional Chinese festivals, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival. The festival originated from Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet and politician from the Chu State during China's Warring States Period.

Related legends:

According to legend, Qu Yuan lived between 340 and 278 BC. He was born into a noble family of the Chu State. He was talented and deeply appreciated by the monarch of the Chu State. However, in the face of internal corruption and external aggression in Chu State, Qu Yuan was worried about the country and its people, and was heartbroken.

Finally, after the coup in Chu State, Qu Yuan was exiled to the Wujiang River. He deeply felt the pain of the country's fall and committed suicide by drowning himself in the river on the fifth day of May to express his loyalty and helplessness to the country.

Local residents were very sad when they learned about the incident and rowed boats to salvage it, hoping to save Qu Yuan’s body. People were worried that the fish and shrimps would eat Qu Yuan's body, so they made rice dumplings made of glutinous rice and threw them into the river, hoping that the fish and shrimps they raised could eat the rice dumplings without harming Qu Yuan's body.

Another version of the legend:

Another legend is that after people heard that Qu Yuan committed suicide by throwing himself into the river, they rushed to the river one after another, hoping to save him, but they could not find Qu Yuan's body. . In order to commemorate him, people began to row dragon boats, eat rice dumplings, and tie colorful silk threads on their wrists on this day to ward off evil spirits and avoid disasters.

Therefore, May Day has become a festival to commemorate Qu Yuan and show patriotism. On this day, people will watch the dragon boat racing and taste delicious rice dumplings. They also express their condolences for Qu Yuan and pray for the prosperity of the country.

The allusions to commemorate Qu Yuan on May Day have become an important part of the traditional culture of the Chinese nation, and also reflect the unity, bravery and patriotic spirit of the Chinese nation.

Traditional activities of the Dragon Boat Festival:

1. Dragon boat racing

Folks tie the rice dumplings made to the tail of the dragon boat, and let the dragon boat chase and win during the competition. Thin colorful ribbons hanging high symbolize warding off evil spirits, avoiding disasters, and praying for a good harvest and peace.

2. Eating Zongzi

Zongzi is an indispensable traditional food during the Dragon Boat Festival. Zongzi is made of glutinous rice and various fillings wrapped in bamboo leaves and steamed. Different regions have different recipes and tastes. Common ones include meat rice dumplings, bean paste rice dumplings, date rice dumplings, etc. Eating rice dumplings also commemorates the rice dumplings that Qu Yuan threw into the river when he committed suicide.

3. Hanging calamus and mugwort

People will hang calamus and mugwort in front of the door or indoors to ward off evil spirits, avoid disasters and protect the safety of their families. Calamus has a fragrant smell and is believed to drive away lochia and plague; mugwort has the effect of repelling insects and preventing diseases.

4. Wearing colorful silk threads

People will tie colorful silk threads during the Dragon Boat Festival, which can not only add to the festive atmosphere, but also mean to ward off evil spirits and pray for good luck.