Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival, also called Duanwu or Dragon Boat Day, is a vibrant Chinese holiday held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, usually in June. It honors loyalty, wards off bad luck, and brings communities together through exciting traditions like dragon boat races and eating sticky rice dumplings. Let’s explore its origins, customs, and global appeal in a way that’s easy to understand and full of heart. Quick Facts About the Dragon Boat Festival Aspect Details Date Fifth day of the fifth lunar month (June 10, 2025) Main Activities Dragon boat racing, eating zongzi, hanging herbs Origin Honors poet Qu Yuan and ancient dragon worship Significance Celebrates loyalty, health, and community spirit Origins of the Dragon Boat Festival The Dragon Boat Festival began thousands of years ago, blending nature worship with farming traditions. In ancient China, summer was a time to pray for good harvests. People believed dragons controlled rain, so they held ceremonies on the fifth lunar month’s fifth day, when the “dragon star” shone brightest. They also used herbs to keep sickness away during…