Dragon Boat Festival

Chinese culture · boats · traditions · celebration

Dragon boat races. Teams paddle long, narrow boats decorated with dragon heads and tails in exciting competitions. The boats are named after dragons because dragons are symbols of power and good fortune in Chinese culture.

Sticky rice dumplings. People eat special treats called zongzi, which are triangular packages of sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves. These dumplings are traditionally made with different fillings like red beans, chestnuts, or savory ingredients.

Celebrates Qu Yuan. The festival honors Qu Yuan, a beloved prime minister from ancient China who lived over 2,000 years ago during the Warring States period. According to legend, people threw zongzi into the river so fish would eat them instead of his body.

Summer beginning. The Dragon Boat Festival happens on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese calendar, usually in late May or early June. It marks a time when people pray for good luck and enjoy a break from the summer heat.

Spread worldwide. Today, Dragon Boat Festival celebrations happen in countries around the world wherever Chinese communities live. Millions of people participate in races and festivities to keep this ancient tradition alive.