Origin of the Dragon Boat Festival

Qu Yuan - the most widely known symbol of patriotism

According to the historical records of the Warring States period, Qu Yuan, a poet of the Chu state, was exiled due to slander and was martyred on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month by throwing himself into the Miluo River. When the people failed to find the body, they threw rice dumplings into the river to feed the fish to protect his body, which evolved into the custom of dragon boat racing and eating rice dumplings. This story was first published in the Southern Dynasty's ‘Continuation of the Qi Harmony Chronicle’, and became the mainstream official narrative in later times.

Wu Zixu - the tragic memory of the Wu-Yue region

In Jiangsu and Zhejiang, the Dragon Boat Festival also commemorates Wu Zixu, a famous official of the Spring and Autumn Period. Wu Zixu was killed by Fu Zhai for his loyal advice, and his body was thrown into the Qiantang River, where it was transformed into the ‘Tao God’. The local people welcome the tide on the Dragon Boat Festival to offer sacrifices, forming the wind of the race.

Baiyue Dragon Totem - a living fossil of ancient beliefs

Archaeological discoveries reveal a deeper origin: the Baiyue tribes in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River had the dragon as their totem, and the Dragon Boat Festival was originally a festival to sacrifice to the dragon god. Dragon boat racing symbolises the harnessing of the dragon to pray for blessings, zongzi are shaped like dragon horns, and the five-coloured filaments represent the five elements of auspiciousness. Wen Yiduo in the ‘Dragon Boat Festival Examination’ to prove this statement, widely accepted by the academic community.

The ancient wisdom of scientific prevention of epidemics: disaster avoidance in bad months

The pre-Qin ‘Xia Xiaozheng’ said that May is the ‘poisonous month’, and the humidity and heat breed epidemics. Ancient people hung moxa and calamus (which contain volatile bactericidal substances), drank malva wine (to drive away worms), and wore scented pouches (herbal medicine to prevent diseases), forming a set of public health system.

Customs Decoding: Cultural Logic Behind Rituals

Customs Science/symbolism Modern evolution

Dragon boat racing Reinforcement of the spirit of collaboration, simulation of driving away water monsters International events IP, e.g. Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Race

Five-coloured silk thread Five elements of mutual blessing (green, red, white, black and yellow) Cultural bracelets, non-heritage crafts

Noon Water The best quality of water is sterilised by midday sunshine The tradition of ‘taking water at noon’ still exists in Taiwan and other places.

Standing Egg Folk science experiment on gravity's equilibrium point Popular items of popular science activities for parents and children

📌 Focus of Controversy: Sweet vs Savoury Rice Dumplings!

The ‘war of tastes’ between the bean paste and honey date dumplings of the north and the fresh meat and egg yolk dumplings of the south is in fact a millennium-long collision of dietary cultures between the rice-cultivation area (the staple food of glutinous rice) and the fishing and hunting area (the complementary food of meat).

From China to the World: Global Practices of Non-Heritage Protection

2009: China's Dragon Boat Festival is selected for the United Nations‘ list of non-heritage sites, becoming the first Chinese festival to be so honoured.38 The Dragon Boat Festival is also the first Chinese festival to have been selected for the United Nations’ non-heritage list.

Cross-border changes:

🇰🇷 The Gangneung Dragon Boat Festival in South Korea, a fusion of witchcraft and agricultural music, succeeded in its independent bid for heritage in 2005;

🇯🇵 Japan's Dragon Boat Festival has been transformed into ‘Boys’ Day’, with carp flags hung to pray for courage and health;

🇻🇳 In Vietnam, yellow glutinous rice is eaten to honour ancestors and ward off insects and epidemics.

New Elephant in 2025: The Contemporary Vitality of Traditional Festivals

Holiday Arrangement: 3 days of holiday from 31 May (Saturday) to 2 June (Monday), with 31 May being a statutory holiday79.

Conclusion: Finding Cultural Identity in Rituals

The Dragon Boat Festival, with its ‘multi-source and integrated’ character, is the epitome of the eclecticism of Chinese civilisation. When the drums of dragon boats beat loudly on the Miluo River and the fragrance of rice dumplings wafts into overseas Chinatowns, this festival, which has traversed the past 2,000 years, still provides modern people with the cultural genes to ward off spiritual desolation.

🌿 Tomorrow's Dragon Boat Festival: Why not pick a wisp of wormwood, taste the flavour of the countryside, and touch the temperature of time in an ancient ritual?