The Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional holiday celebrated at the beginning of the summer solstice to commemorate the life and death of Chinese scholar and poet Qu Yuan. Participants from around the country and all of Asia gather to celebrate with a selection of zongzi rice, realgar wine and dragon boat racing.

Legend has it Qu Yuan served in the court of Emperor Huai during the Warring States Period of China. Because of his ability to influence the court officials, he was eventually exiled and forced to continue his teachings outside of their reach, publishing such monumental works as the “Nine Chapters” and “Wen Tian.” When the Chu State was defeated by the Qin State, it’s said he threw himself into Miluo River in despair. Local fisherman threw zongzi rice and eggs into the river to feed the fish, so they would not eat his body.

The Dragon Boat Festival was established as a national holiday in 2008, with public offices and schools closing for the event. It lasts three days, during which time the locals feast on meals of zongzi and wine, hang mugwort and calamus, and even try to make eggs stand up straight at noon in order to commemorate and show respect for Qu Yuan. Of course, there are also the dragon boat races that always prove to be quite the spectacle.

The event is held all across China, though the biggest races take place in the larger cities. Visitors are encouraged to watch the races and participate in the feasts in a respectful manner. It’s a wonderful cultural event that provides great insight into one of the world’s greatest scholars and poets.