. In the early 20th Century the Dragon Boat Festival was observed from the first to the fifth days of the fifth month, and also known as the [19][20], Dragon Boat Festival is unofficially observed by the Chinese communities of Southeast Asia, including Singapore and Malaysia. This activity is believed to drive poisonous creatures awayand keep away diseasesand evil things. [15] During his exile, Qu Yuan wrote a great deal of poetry. Support Colorado Dragon Boat. Eventually, his despair in the face of the political situation drove him to commit suicide by drowning himself in Hunan Provinces Miluo River. In commemoration of Qu Yuan, people hold dragon boat races yearly on the day of his death according to the legend. Some modern research suggests that the stories of Qu Yuan or Wu Zixu were superimposed onto a pre-existing holiday tradition. South Korea In South Korea, Gangneung Danoje Festival is another version of the Dragon Boat Festival. DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL. Choices of fillings vary depending on regions. This was merged with the tradition of visiting friends and family on boats. 1998-2023 China Highlights Discovery Your Way! Miluo River in Yueyang is a famous river since Qu Yuan committed suicide in it 2,000 years ago. The Dragon Boat Festival is commemorated on the fifth lunar month fifth day. China Travel is one of Chinas leading touring specialists. One of China's major traditional festivals, the Dragon Boat Festival has been celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar for millennia. Its a family, Most Beautiful Beaches in China Worth Visiting, China is well known for its beautiful mountains, delicious food, and historical sites. You can use festival quotes and poems to inspire others or brighten their day. It has also been introduced to countries in Europe and the Americas by Chinese immigrants, and is mainly celebrated with dragon boat races. This Friday is the annual Dragon Boat Festival. We are the LARGEST Dragon Boat Festival in the USA! Enjoy your personal local guide and ride. The Taiwanese also sometimes conflate the spring practice of egg-balancing with Duanwu. As interactions between different regions increased, these similar festivals eventually merged into one holiday. With our expert travel guides, you can be sure to make the most of your trip. Festivals, Chinese flexibility, which is impossible on a group tour. Qu Yuans suicide is only one of the explanations that have been advanced, however. In addition to the drummer, there is also a steerer who sits in the back of the boat and helps to steer it using a long steering oar. From then on, dragon boat races were held every year on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month to commemorate Qu's death. Official races organized by organizations like the International Dragon Boat Federation are held in many parts of the world. In addition to the threat posed by the reemergence of poisonous animals, it was also believed that people were more prone to falling ill around this time. These days, the most well-known aspect of the Dragon Boat Festival is the tradition of racing dragon boats (, silngzhu). Thank you so much for sharing your time, effort, and knowledge. 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. The festival commemorates the end of the Warring States period in 476 BC when Qu Yuan led the people of Chu State in protesting the oppressive rule of the powerful Kingiquan. River Cruise, Chinese People believe that this will help keep bad spirits and diseases away. Of these districts, Shunde holds the grandest one. The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival at Sloan's Lake Park has become a wildly popular cultural bonanza in Denver. It is celebrated to commemorate Qu Yuan, a famous ancient Chinese scholar who drown himself in a river. The last day of the Spring Festival is a special celebration called the Lantern Festival. Read More . Thu to Fri. Read my interview with Hans Wu, race director of the San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival, to know what to expect at the races. A notable part of celebrating Dragon Boat Festival is making and eating zongzi with family members and friends. 2023/2024, Top 10 Dragon boat festival is a traditional festival celebrated by the Chinese. . Vietnam celebrates the Dragon Boat Festival on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. An immersive weekend of fun is back in South Florida for the 32nd year in a row at . The dragon is the center of Chinese New Year, Chinatown street fairs, and any big celebration having to do with Chinese culture. The Dragon Boat Festival is referred to as Duanwu Jie in Mandarin Chinese. U.S., Canada and Germany: Dragon boat racing enjoys great popularity, More than a showcase of athleticism and teamwork, dragon boat racing has a legacy that's over 2,500 years old. If you want to try zngzi at most times of the year, you will likely be hard-pressed to find any. During a race, the drummer leads the paddlers by beating rhythmically on a drum. More details can be found in our privacy policy. The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival or Double Fifth Festival, provides the perfect opportunity for family fun. Tours, Family If you live in a city with a dragon boat celebration, make sure to attend. This festival first came about during the Han Dynasty. Festival of Five Poisonous Insects (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: Dchng ji). WATCH: Near the summer solstice, communities across China gather to race boats . In ancient China, this summertime festival was observed to appease the rain gods and ward off illness. . Wu Zixu was forced to commit suicide by Fuchai, with his body thrown into the river on the fifth day of the fifth month. Read about my experience joining the Oakland Renegades to see if its for you. Explore destinations at your own pace. ", Special Administrative Region of Macao. Even before the modern era, dragon boat racing was popular among ethnic Chinese people living throughout Asia. Besides for Asian countries, the United States, Canada and European countries like Germany also celebrate the Duanwu Festival, mainly with dragon boat races. including the traditional annual Dragon Boat Festival, which is . For the general Chinese community, the festival is like any other holiday, where people gather and celebrate with food and drinks. Moon Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival - September 29, 2023. /Screenshot via Dragon Boat Innovate. Their main Dragon Boat Festival celebrations are eating zongzi and driving away insects. Dragon boat racing is the central activity of the festival and is often held in large bodies of water such as rivers or lakes. This festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Lunar Calendar. It is also referred to in some English sources as Double Fifth Festival which alludes to the date as in the original Chinese name.. Chinese names by region. The most popular theory of the origin of the festival is that it was derived from the commemoration of a great patriot poet, Qu Yuan. highlights! Qu Yuan remains a popular figure in modern China. You can use craft projects at home as a way to prepare for the festivals excitement. Dragon boat racing has been practiced continuously since this period as the basis for annual water rituals and festival celebrations, and for the traditional veneration of the Chinese dragon water deity. 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. activities, and unveil the stories behind the sights and people. Some people also participate in other activities like dragon boat drumming, which is believed to bring good luck to a teams performance. Perfume pouches are made using hand-sewn bags containing powders of calamus, wormwood, realgar, and other fragrant items. The Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Festival, Dunw Ji, Double Fifth, Tuen Ng Jit) is a traditional holiday that commemorates the life and death of the famous Chinese scholar Qu Yuan (Chu Yuan). The Story Behind Denver's Annual Dragon Boat Festival. Performers & Vendors. If you continue browsing, you agree to the 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. It originated traditionally to remember the patriot poet Qu Yuan ( ( c. 340-278 BC)), who drowned himself in the Milou River more than 2000 years ago. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Numerous six-member teams will compete in a series of physical tasks and mental challenges in the virtual competition, which is set to be launched on Saturday, June 27. During the race,dragon boat teams paddle harmoniously at a pace that is set by the drummer and do their best to win the race through their synchronized efforts. Dragon Boat Festival, also called Duanwu Festival, is one of the four grandest traditional festivals in China, falling on 5th day of the 5th month in Chinese lunar calendar. In mainland China, there are also various informal races organized by local villages and communities. Dragon Boat Festival The Dragon Boat Festival dates all the way back to the Warring States Period of the Zhou Dynasty. While ancient dragon boats were made of teak, most modern boats are made of fiberglass. Other people celebrate the festival by participating in cultural activities, spending time with family and friends, or by watching the races from shore. The promotion of these stories might be encouraged by Confucian scholars, seeking to legitimize and strengthen their influence in China. In China, zongzi commemorates the historical poet Qu Yuan - but the dish appeared 5,000 years ago, with some considering it the first 'fast food' for farmers The dragon boat festival is a fun, boisterous holiday. A big thank you to you, Wes and to all of the people who have commented above! Dragon Boat Festival has been celebrated in China for over 2000 years and is believed to start at the same time as the Olympic Games. 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. Common fillings for sweet zngzi include sweet red bean paste or jujube (Chinese dates). Dragon boating as a modern sport began right here in Hong Kong. Legend has it that a famous poet named . The leaves also give a special aroma and flavor to the sticky rice and fillings. Also known as the Tuen Ng Festival, most people immediately associate the celebration with scrumptious rice dumplings and the thousands of paddlers . In 2009, UNESCO designated the dragon boat festival a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.". The fifth of the fifth moon at noon was the most poisonous hour for the poisonous insects, and reptiles such as frogs, lizards, snakes, hide in the mud, for that hour they are paralyzed. During the Dragon Boat Festival, Vietnamese people prepare glutinous rice with a blend of spices to thank their ancestors and pray fora good harvest.They eat this glutinous rice and drink realgar wine to help prevent plagues. EPIC MOROCCO BY CULTURE TRIP knowledge Because of the close relationships between audience members and participants, the atmosphere during these local races can be particularly exuberant. How People Celebrate Dragon Boat Festival in China. Dragon boats are long and thin. This year the celebration falls on June 25. 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 . The wine is traditionally served in a bowl-shaped cup made from bamboo or wood. The State of Chu was not doing well politically, and news of its various defeats at the hands of competing states sent Qu Yuan into a deep depression. Celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival This picture book touches about the special traditions of preparing and watching dragon boat races from the perspective of a young child, little Mei. Dragon boat racing has a rich history of ancient ceremonial and ritualistic traditions, which originated in southern central China more than 2500 years ago. We can help you plan your itinerary, book your accommodation, and even provide local tips and advice. One of my favorites, too! A dragon boat racing in San Francisco, 2008. [14] Big ceremonies and performances developed from these practices in many areas, making the Dragon Boat Festival a day for getting rid of disease and bad luck. their way. Here are some traditional ways to celebrate the Dragon boat festival in China. OCA Sacramento has long celebrated this traditional holiday, also known as the Double Fifth (fifth day of the 5th lunar month) which has been deeply rooted in Chinese culture. We base in Guilin, with over 20 years of different styles of travel and tour service experience. On this day, dragons ascend to heaven, and divine blessings are sent down to earth. The story best known in modern China holds that the festival commemorates the death of the poet and minister Qu Yuan (c.340278 BC) of the ancient state of Chu during the Warring States period of the Zhou dynasty. traditional Chinese holiday whose origins. By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, 3000 Youngfield St., Suite 350, Wheat Ridge, CO, 80215, US, http://cdbf.org. Read More . To get rid of the misfortune, people would put calamus, Artemisia, pomegranate flowers, Chinese ixora and garlic above the doors on the fifth day of the fifth month. Learn more about Dragon Boat Festival, one of Taiwan's biggest events, with teams from all over the world competing in races all over the island. China Highlights uses cookies to give you the best possible service. Many Chinese families make their own, and pre-made versions also suddenly become available at most corner convenience stores. Qu Yuan: Chinese Poet in the Dragon Boat Festival Story, 4-Day Shanghai and Its Neighbors Tour by High Speed Train, 3-Day Zhongwei Desert Tour with Winery Experience. The celebration was an important part of the ancient Chinese agricultural society, celebrating the summer rice planting. Read on to find out more about this festival. I'm Wes, a biracial Chinese American dad living in Oakland, California, who left the technology world when my son was born to serve this wonderfully diverse community of Chinese American families. Children and families often look forward to the celebration for its games, activities, and food. 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. 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. Chinese New Year, the Festival Of Lanterns, the Dragon Boat Festival, the Ghost Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Festivalare celebrated also as secular holidays. Charles River near Weeks Footbridge June 9, 2019 In Europe, the tradition was introduced to Germany over 30 years ago. What is, Chinese Proverbs and Sayings: Wisdom From The East, Chinese proverbs, also known as cheng or yan ge, are expressions with deep meaning, Chinese New Year Superstitions and Taboos: You Need to Know, Chinese New Year is a year-long festival celebrated by the Chinese. Youre welcome, Sarah. Participating in or attending dragon boat races, A Brief Guide to the Chinese New Year ( Chnji). Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and attentive your personal local guides will share interesting Dragon Boat Festival Greetings: Happy or Health? [11], It is pronounced variously in different Chinese dialects. It is a significant international Dragon Boat Festival. Eating sticky rice dumplings is one of the most popular things to do during the Dragon Boat Festival. [7], The Mandarin Chinese name of the festival is "" (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: Dunwji; WadeGiles: Tuan Wu chieh)[b] in Mainland China and Taiwan,[8][6][9] and "Tuen Ng Festival" for Hong Kong, Macao,[10] Malaysia and Singapore. Copyright 2022 Chinaler| All Rights Reserved, celebrated annually in China on the fifth day, Chinese poet and official who committed suicide by drowning himself in the Yi River as a form of protest against corruption and tyranny by the emperor of China, traditional Chinese event is known as the Dragon Boat Festival, symbolizes noon, but also identifies the fifth month of the traditional Chinese, festival is an important Chinese traditional, Dragon boat racing is the central activity of the festival and is often held in large bodies of water such as rivers or lakes, The third way to celebrate the Dragon boat festival is to hang Chinese, Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the fifth lunar month fifth day. Todays theres a full summer race schedule running from February through October in cities across the United States. Sunday, June 13. Join Colorado's annual celebration of Asian and Asian American heritage with the biggest Dragon Boat Festival in the US! Chinese people call the Dragon Boat Festival - Dun W Ji | . In China, the Dragon Boat Festival is referred to as Duan Wu Jie. The relationship between zongzi, Qu Yuan and the festival, first appeared during the early Han dynasty.[17]. Thank you for this site, really helped me finish a paper on time. [24], The sun is considered to be at its strongest around the time of summer solstice, as the daylight in the northern hemisphere is the longest. 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. The Shun River was renamed Cao'e River in her honor.[16]. Dragon Boat . China Highlights tailor-makes China tours to help travelers discover In fact, 5280 Magazine declared it "one of Colorado's greatest festivals." 475 to 221 BC). News and event updates from Colorado Dragon Boat straight to your inbox. The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is BACK! This traditional Chinese event is known as the Dragon Boat Festival, or Longzhou Jie in Chinese, due to its strong ties to dragon boats. The first international dragon boat races were held in 1976 in this city. He was slandered by jealous government officials and banished by the king. The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is roaring back for its Year of the Water Tiger, following a two-year quiet that left the waters of Sloan's Lake Park eerily still. Read More . Like in any festival, dragon boat festival wishes are a great way to show appreciation for someones well wishes. People traditionally wrap zongzi in leaves of reed, bamboo, forming a pyramid shape. Since 2001, the dragon boat festival has raised more than $3.9 million to support cancer screening technology, diagnosis and treatment at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre. 400. The people of China generally receive a three-day break from work in order to celebrate with friends and family. Try new and 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. Read More , Rice dumplings are parcels of glutinous rice stuffed with different savory or sweet fillings and wrapped in bamboo leaves. 1. Explore destinations at your own pace. On this holiday, the food of choice is zngzi (). Duan translates to start while wu symbolizes noon, but also identifies the fifth month of the traditional Chinese calendar (between June 6 July 6), which coincides with the summer solstice. There are also various zongzion sale in supermarkets. Or take MTR to East Tsim Sha Tsui Station (Exit P1). What is the Chinese summer solstice () and how is it celebrated? The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Dragon Boat Festival Greetings and Wishes: Say Happy or Health? China Highlights tailor-makes China tours to help travelers discover China But scholars say the boats were first used hundreds of years earlier, perhaps for. The English language name for the holiday is Dragon Boat Festival, used as the official English translation of the holiday by the People's Republic of China. Almost every Chinese holiday has a specific food or foods associated with it, and Dragon Boat Festival is no different. The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday that has been around in various forms for thousands of years. Most zongzi are still made in using a traditional bamboo wrapper. View. Why Is Dragon Boat Festival So Important? Duanwu (Chinese: ; pinyin: dunw), as the festival is called in . So glad that this is a helpful resource for you, Essie! During the festival, people hang itfrom theireaves, lay it on roofs, put it under pillows, bathe in sweet flag water,and drink sweet flag wine.People believe this can help chase away plaguesand evil spirits. The Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Jie in Mandarin and Tuen Ng in Cantonese) is a blending of history, folklore, and mythical beings, sprinkled with bamboo-wrapped sticky rice dumplings called. Click to know how to greetpeopleduringDragon Boat Festival, and why. After his death, in places such as Suzhou, Wu Zixu is remembered during the Dragon Boat Festival. 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