Why Is Dragon Boat Festival So Important? What started out as an occasion to remember legendary heroes has now become a ritualistic festival where people pay tribute to their ancestors, particularly water spirits and dragons. Significance of the Dragon Boat Festival Duanwu Jie is a widely celebrated holiday for the Chinese community-immigrants and non-immigrants in New York. Dragon Boat Races Celebrate China's Ancient Past | National Geographic National Geographic 21.2M subscribers Subscribe 2.1K 194K views 4 years ago Near the summer solstice, communities. This is because zngzi are thought to resemble the rice dumplings thrown into the water by villagers to stop the fish from eating his body after his suicide. The Dragon Boat Festival - Dec 2021 Christmas - Dec 2021 1. Dragon Boat Festival 2022 is June 3, 2022. Youre very welcome, Pam. Copyright 2023 | Terms & Conditions | FAQ | Learn Chinese in China. At the time, it was common for Chinese literati to work in government, and Qu Yuan was no different. During races, the boats are fitted out with a colorful dragon head and tail. . 150,000. Please comment below if there are additional resources you would like to see added to the site! TRAVEL A Year in Beijing in . Dragon boat racing is ascribed to organized celebrations of Qu Yuan beginning in the 5th or 6th century A.D. Singapore: Virtual dragon boat challenges amid pandemic, Most of the races for this year's festival have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but paddlers can still compete via the Virtual Dragon Boat Challenge 2020, a charity event organized by Dragon Boat Innovate. However, in the weeks leading up to the Dragon Boat Festival, zngzi suddenly become available everywhere. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe link, found at the bottom of every email. Let's take a look at the Dragon Boat Festival celebration. When youre celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival, you should also send festival greetings to your loved ones. The cooked zongzi is called "yizhi zong".[22]. Despite most of the races for this year's festival being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, paddlers can still compete in cyberspace via the Virtual Dragon Boat Challenge 2020, a charity event organized by Dragon Boat Innovate. We are here to help you fly high with our knowledge and expertise. why it is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the History and Legends of the Dragon Boat Festival, Click to know how to greetpeopleduringDragon Boat Festival, China Travel Restrictions & Travel Advisory, Qu Yuan: Chinese Poet in the Dragon Boat Festival Story, Dragon Boat Festival Traditions: The Top 7 Activities, China Travel Restrictions & Travel Advisory (Updated February 10, 2023), China Group Tours vs Private China Tours: 7 Key Differences, Spotlight Experiences for Romantic China Tour, 12-Day China Train Safari from North across South China, 12-Day Shanghai, Huangshan, Hangzhou, Guilin and Hong Kong Tour, 8-Day BeijingPingyaoXi'an Private Tour By High-Speed Train, 17-DayRelaxing Tour of Both Ancient & Modern Flavor, Loyalty During this traditional, annual event, boats in the form of dragons are raced down the river. It is the Dragon Boat Festival. Originally called Surit-nal, the Dano Festival is derived from the Chinese Duanwu Festival. For many people, no visit to the island would be complete without seeing this event. Performers & Vendors. It originated in China and occurs in the summer solstice. Eight years later, in 151, a temple was built in Shangyu dedicated to the memory of Cao E and her sacrifice for filial piety. Other traditions of this festival are hanging icons of the mythic guardian figure, Zhong Kui, hanging Mugworth and Calamus, going on walks, creating spells, and wearing scented medicine bags. Support is drawn from two key traditions of the festival: the tradition of dragon boat racing and zongzi. This is said to be the origin of zongzi.[15]. After five days, she and her father were both found dead in the river from drowning. The program includes scholarship and essay writing contestawards to children and youth. It is a day off for the general population. It has grown from a small neighborhood event to the largest Chinese American cultural event in New England, drawing more than 20,000 participants and spectators annually. Influenced by Chinese culture, South Korea, Japan and other countries in Southeast Asia developed their own versionsof the Dragon Boat Festival, along with some unique customs. Races have even been held in big cities such as New York and Chicago. There is also a drummer who sits at the bow of the boat facing the paddlers. The Dragon Boat Festival 2023 falls on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month in Chinese calendar, June 22, 2023, know the festival foods, history and celebration activities . Hungry Ghost Festival in China History, Tradition, Celebration, & More. /VCG. Every festival has it's own wonderful story, of which you can find out more about on our Taiwan holidays page. After being slandered by another official, however, he was sent into exile. Eating Sticky Rice Dumplings. Since the month of May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in California, OCA Sacramento has selected May to symbolize this great occasion and host our annual signature fundraising event, the Dragon Boat Festival Celebration. Additionally, it is a chance for everyone to celebrate together and make memories that will last forever. 400. The event was then moved to Frankfurt in 1991 and named the Frankfurt International Dragonboat Festival. Manage Settings Learning about these traditional festivals is a fun and interesting way to enrich your understanding of Chinese culture. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Most dragon boat racing teams include a drummer who helps the rowers stay in sync. The food may have originally represented an offering to the dragon king, while dragon boat racing naturally reflects a reverence for the dragon and the active yang energy associated with it. Despite the various ups and downs it has faced over the years, anyone who has the chance to experience the fun and infectious excitement of the Dragon Boat Festival in China will quickly understand why its popularity has endured for many millennia. Making a toy dragon boat is a terrific way to introduce younger children to the Dragon Boat Festival story. South Korea In South Korea, Gangneung Danoje Festival is another version of the Dragon Boat Festival. Read More , The Chinese have raced dragon boats for centuries, as an appeal to the water gods during the sweltering summer months. Realgar wine or Xiong Huang wine is a Chinese alcoholic drink that is made from Chinese yellow wine dosed with powdered realgar, a yellow-orange arsenic sulfide mineral also known as "rice wine". We know the ins and outs of all of your favorite products. Qu Yuan remains a popular figure in modern China. People eat zongzi, race dragon boats, and exchange greetings such as Wishing you good health. Giving small gifts such as jewelry, sweets, or flowers is also customary as tokens of appreciation. A traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month it is properly called Tuen Ng Festival (/) Eat rice dumplings (), see dragon boat racing and swim in the sea to celebrate the day. It takes place every year between May 27 and June 25 on the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Some 800 blue carp streamers fly in Higashimatsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 5, 2019, in memory of children killed in the March 2011 tsunami that devastated the region. What is Chinese Labor Day ( Lodngji) and how is it celebrated? Some of the larger festivalse.g. To safeguard themselves during this time, ancient people practiced rituals such as poking pictures of the five poisonous animals with pins, which was believed to render their real-life counterparts harmless. What is the Chinese Winter Solstice Festival () and how is it celebrated? The dragon is the center of Chinese New Year, Chinatown street fairs, and any big celebration having to do with Chinese culture. Another explanation to the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival comes from before the Qin Dynasty (221206 BC). The dumplings themselves are wrapped in bamboo leaves, tied with a string, and either steamed or boiled. Fortunately, Ive found five that do a good job of introducing the holiday, as well as the sport of dragon boat racing. River Cruise, Chinese People living in small communities where local races are held usually know most or all of the members of the dragon boat teams. Or take MTR to East Tsim Sha Tsui Station (Exit P1). . You can use craft projects at home as a way to prepare for the festivals excitement. In line with this explanation, racing dragon boats mimics the actions of the villagers who rowed out into the river to try to save their beloved poet. China Even before the modern era, dragon boat racing was popular among ethnic Chinese people living throughout Asia. Besides traditional dragon dancing and the large competition of dragon boat racing on Lake Guipan, there aremore interactive activities to help to celebrate the festival. In most parts of China, the weather is quite good at this time of year, and people congregate outside on the banks of rivers and lakes to enjoy the fine weather while watching traditional dragon boat races. Today only a few of the more traditional older family members will bother to cook their own, while the majority are purchased from restaurants and bakers. Yu Der Ling writes in chapter 11 of her 1911 memoir Two Years in the Forbidden City: The first day of the fifth moon was a busy day for us all, as from the first to the fifth of the fifth moon was the festival of five poisonous insects, which I will explain lateralso called the Dragon Boat Festival. We offer community a time to celebrate . Its current iteration is an amalgamation of multiple different festivals and traditions. At night they may light fireworks or fly colorful kites, which symbolize good luck for them in the coming year. The Dragon Boat Festival is called Duan Wu Jie in Chinese. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. It runs for more than 20 days and culminates on the fifth day of the fifth month in the lunar calendar, the day when the Dano falls. The Dragon boat festival is celebrated differently in different parts of the world. Celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival provides an effortless opportunity for you to enjoying Chinese culture with your family. Perfume pouches are made using hand-sewn bags containing powders of calamus, wormwood, realgar, and other fragrant items. Ana Ortega July 18, 20225:00AM. It's possible that the practice of dragon boat racing started out as a way to worship an ancient dragon god. Contact us via WeChat: chinahighlightstour, the story behind the Dragon Boat Festival, The Hong Kong Tuen Ng Dragon Boat Festival 2023. Day. DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL. The fifth month of the lunar calendar was regarded as a bad month and the fifth day of the month a bad day. Discover the hidden gems. Follow along with this tutorial and learn to make a classic rice dumpling filled with pork, peanuts, sausage and mung beans. View. Location The competition is held in Boracay island on the second week of July. Also known as the Tuen Ng Festival, most people immediately associate the celebration with scrumptious rice dumplings and the thousands of paddlers . The festival is a time to reflect on the importance of loyalty and commitment to the community. Join this year's Dragon Boat Festival celebration on June 25, 2020! Out of disappointment in the Chu monarch, he drowned himself in the Miluo River. Legend has it that when they realized he was attempting to drown himself, the citizenry rushed in boats to the middle of the river in an attempt to save him or at least retrieve his body. Her Majesty told me this, so that day I went all over everywhere and dug into the ground, but found nothing.[18]. During the festival, people often wear these pouches around their necks or hang them from their clothing. Read More . their way. Every year the Foshan City of the Guangdong Province will hold different kinds of activities to celebrate Dragon Boat Festival in different districts. Dragon Boat Legend. Thaipusam Image Source One of the most important Tamil festivals of Malaysia, Thaipusam commemorates the victory of Lord Muruga over the evil spirit Soorapadam with great pomp and show. Schedules, Train App Dragons are of great cultural value to the Chinese people. As part of the festival, people eat zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) and race dragon boats. Chinese New Year - January 22, 2023. Almost every Chinese holiday has a specific food or foods associated with it, and Dragon Boat Festival is no different. In recent years, however, Dragon Boat Festival has regained its traditional place as an important holiday in Mainland China. Hi Michelle, I'm glad that you found my site for exactly this reason. In ancient China, this summertime festival was observed to appease the rain gods and ward off illness. It is often used as a pesticide against mosquitoes and other biting insects during the hot summers, and as a common antidote against poison in ancient Asia. [23] Other traditional activities include a game of making an egg stand at noon (this "game" implies that if someone succeeds in making the egg stand at exactly 12:00 noon, that person will receive luck for the next year), and writing spells. It is said that the winning team will have good luck and a happy life in the following year. Dragon boat racing is increasingly popular in cities around the world. The third way to celebrate the Dragon boat festival is to hang Chinese mugwort and calamus. Read More . The boats are typically decorated with colorful flags and are often adorned with ornate dragon heads affixed to the front. Read my interview with Hans Wu, race director of the San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival, to know what to expect at the races. China's Duanwu Festival and its culture were introduced to Japan after the Heian period (7941185). Proving the power of storytelling has been part of the Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival since its inception and this year it is taking the time to celebrate all the voices that share their stories. Read More . Besides for Asian countries, the United States, Canada and European countries like Germany also celebrate the Duanwu Festival, mainly with dragon boat races. The shape of the dumplings is said to resemble a boat, and they are meant to honor Qu Yuan, a famous Chinese poet. Dunw nkng., Dragon Boat Festival is a public holiday in Hong Kong. Because of the close relationships between audience members and participants, the atmosphere during these local races can be particularly exuberant. Experience local culture by practicing it. The History and Modern Practice of the Dragon Boat Festival. Have unparalleled flexibility, which is impossible on a group tour. The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival and the Double Fifth Festival, is a folk festival that originates in China. In China, the Dragon Boat Festival is referred to as Duan Wu Jie. There are several legends about its origin. So whether youre looking to explore Chinas history or experience its modernity, we can help you make your trip a success. Dragon boat racing has a history of over 2,000 years and some scholars believe the practice most likely began as a way to worship the Dragon God. /VCG. Popular in Southern China, the Dragon Boat Festival is an international event drawing a score of locals and tourists alike. In despair, Qu Yuan committed suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo River. The Story Behind Denver's Annual Dragon Boat Festival. It was later renamed Children's Day in 1948. Home Dragon Boat Festival: A Guide To Celebrating It. It falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month . OCA Sacramento represents Asian Pacific American Advocates a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Islander Americans in the United States. October 10th 2021 & October 11th 2021 - National Day. Celebrating Dragon Boat Festival With Kids Some common traditions which would make great education crafts include: Making a Five Colored Bracelet or Ribbon It was once common practice for families to gift ribbons or bracelets made of five colored- thread or silk . activities, and unveil the stories behind the sights and people. Lanterns were lit in honor of Buddha. The People's Republic of China government established in 1949 did not initially recognize the Dragon Boat Festival as a public holiday but reintroduced it in 2008 alongside two other festivals in a bid to boost traditional culture. Your email address will not be published. You can use festival quotes and poems to inspire others or brighten their day. Here is a collection of easy activities, recipes and crafts with step-by-step directions to help your family celebrate an ancient Chinese holiday thats become a modern international phenomenon. In 1989, dragon boat racing was imported to Germany, with the first Dragon Boat Festival to mark the 800th anniversary of the port of Hamburg.After 1991, the races moved to Frankfurt and have continued to this day. A dragon boat racing in San Francisco, 2008. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. From the Jin dynasty, Zongzi officially became the festival food and long last until now. Chinese people, especially children, made incense bags and hung them on their necks to avoid catching contagious diseases and to keep evil spirits awayat this inauspicious time. Festivals, Chinese Zhngyu. Parents would paint a Chinese character (wang, literally meaning king)using realgar wine. The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the fifth lunar month fifth day. The Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and elsewhere around the world. The Duanwu Festival is the Chinese name for the Dragon Boat Festival, which is celebrated annually in China on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar. Down in Tropical Park of Miami, there's going to be a big Asian celebration for the whole family to check out. Here is a collection of easy activities, recipes and crafts with step-by-step directions to help your family celebrate an ancient Chinese holiday that's become a modern international phenomenon. Dragon Boat Festival is just one of many fascinating Chinese holidays with roots stretching back into the distant past. It was adopted during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897) in ancient Korea. /VCG. Children wear a lucky charm weaved out ofcolorful silk threads(like activity 7 above). These plants are believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck in the coming year. Many Asian countries, such as Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Vietnam, also celebrate the festival with various activities and customs influenced by traditional Chinese culture. Here's a quick cultural guide to the festival, which will fall on 22 June this year. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. In 143, while presiding over a ceremony commemorating Wu Zixu during the Dragon Boat Festival, Cao Xu accidentally fell into the Shun River. On this day, dragons ascend to heaven, and divine blessings are sent down to earth. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. These dumplings are made with sticky rice, meat, and vegetables and can be steamed or boiled. 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By using the SafeUnsubscribe link, found at the bottom of every email Duanwu Jie is chance... Japan after the Heian period ( 7941185 ) children and youth the rowers in! [ 22 ] year between may 27 dragon boat festival celebration June 25, 2020 believed to ward off illness lunar.! Colorful Dragon head dragon boat festival celebration tail worship an ancient Dragon god ascend to heaven, and elsewhere around the.... A bad day and people associated with it, and either steamed or boiled found that..., sweets, or flowers is also a drummer who sits at the bottom of every.! Flexibility, which is impossible on a group tour either steamed or boiled a. With a colorful Dragon dragon boat festival celebration and tail the Frankfurt International Dragonboat Festival you to enjoying Chinese culture in.... Explanation to the Festival, most people immediately associate the celebration with scrumptious rice dumplings and. 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