/Screenshot via Dragon Boat Innovate. It's possible that the practice of dragon boat racing started out as a way to worship an ancient dragon god. Traditionally, the animals referred to as wd included centipedes, poisonous snakes, scorpions, lizards and toads. 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). Also suggested to mean "Beginning of Noon", Chinese Government's Official Web Portal. May 4, 2022. 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. 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. The festival involves colorful celebration activities. In despair, Qu Yuan committed suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo River. 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. I'm researching Dongzhi for my child's winter holidays festival. [19][20], Dragon Boat Festival is unofficially observed by the Chinese communities of Southeast Asia, including Singapore and Malaysia. Savory zngzi might be stuffed with salted egg yolks, pork or mushrooms. As the month of noon is regarded as the middle point of summer, Duanwu Jie is interpreted as the commencement of mid-summer festivities.. By Natalie Gale. In 143, while presiding over a ceremony commemorating Wu Zixu during the Dragon Boat Festival, Cao Xu accidentally fell into the Shun River. 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. This traditional Chinese event is known as the Dragon Boat Festival, or Longzhou Jie in Chinese, due to its strong ties to dragon boats. Home Dragon Boat Festival: A Guide To Celebrating It. Office of the Chief Executive. Like in any festival, dragon boat festival wishes are a great way to show appreciation for someones well wishes. Dragons are of great cultural value to the Chinese people. Other traditions of this festival are hanging icons of the mythic guardian figure, Zhong Kui, hanging Mugworth and Calamus, going on walks, creating spells, and wearing scented medicine bags. Even before the modern era, dragon boat racing was popular among ethnic Chinese people living throughout Asia. Celebrate Ancient Asian Traditions at Dragon Boat Festivals Around the U.S. 2021 Colorado Dragon Boat Festival Canceled, Dragon Boat Regatta Comes to Riverdale Regional Park. The Dragon Boat Festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar and this year will be held on June 22. Because of their special fragrances, people oftenhangcalamus and wormwood leaves on their doors and windows on the day of the Dragon Boat Festivalto repel insects, flies, fleas, and moths. Wishing that children grow in strength and health, Japanese households will, on this day, raise the koinobori, which are carp-shaped windsocks that blow like banners in the wind and symbolize hope. At the time, it was common for Chinese literati to work in government, and Qu Yuan was no different. Required fields are marked *. 'Wu' () in the name 'Duanwu' in Chinese has a similar pronunciation as the number 5 in multiple dialects, and thus many regions have traditions of eating food that is related to the number 5. 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. If you live in Hong Kong or just stop over there for several days in June, you may go to Victory Harbor to enjoy Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival. 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. This item is available in full to subscribers. After being slandered by another official, however, he was sent into exile. 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. knowledge , Special Administrative Region of Macao. This year the celebration falls on June 25. Dragon Boat . The Dragon boat festival is celebrated differently in different parts of the world. So glad that this is a helpful resource for you, Essie! Hungry Ghost Festival in China History, Tradition, Celebration, & More. stories, insider information, and even create unexpected highlights! Here is a collection of easy activities, recipes and crafts with step-by-step directions to help your family celebrate an ancient Chinese holiday thats become a modern international phenomenon. Activities, Lunar New Year Festival Starts today at Disney's California Adventure. [2] It is also referred to in some English sources as Double Fifth Festival which alludes to the date as in the original Chinese name. /VCG. Dragon boats are long and thin. To safeguard themselves during this time, ancient people practiced rituals such as poking pictures of the five poisonous animals with pins, which was believed to render their real-life counterparts harmless. A dragon boat racing in San Francisco, 2008. Often, they are related to many of the crew members by birth or marriage. 22 Jun to 23 Jun. Cao E is depicted in the Wu Shuang Pu (; Table of Peerless Heroes) by Jin Guliang. looks like the four stripeson a tigers forehead. In Hong Kong, the festival is usually referred to asTuen Ng. Today only a few of the more traditional older family members will bother to cook their own, while the majority are purchased from restaurants and bakers. Discover the hidden gems. Zngzi are a type of pyramid-shaped dumpling made of glutinous rice and stuffed with various sweet or savory fillings. There are usually many activities held during the festival., Every year when Dragon Boat Festival comes, in many Chinese cities there will be dragon boat racing. The dragon boat festival is a fun, boisterous holiday. Fortunately, theyre also really fun to make at home with eager kids. Dragon boat racing has gained popularity as a sport around the world and is used to promote cultural exchanges among people. However, in the weeks leading up to the Dragon Boat Festival, zngzi suddenly become available everywhere. The illustrations are gorgeous and realistic. Click to know how to greetpeopleduringDragon Boat Festival, and why. In Cantonese, it is romanized as Tuen1 Ng5 Jit3 in Hong Kong and Tung1 Ng5 Jit3 in Macau. Youre welcome, Sarah. Of these districts, Shunde holds the grandest one. The People's Republic of China government established in 1949 did not initially recognize the Dragon Boat Festival as a public holiday but reintroduced it in 2008 alongside two other festivals in a bid to boost traditional culture. Or take MTR to East Tsim Sha Tsui Station (Exit P1). We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, New York, Denver, and other cities hold large-scale dragon boat races regularly. Live dragon boat races can be seen on most major bodies of water in China during the festival. expert. Established in 1979, the celebration is the first and oldest dragon boat festival in North America. Youll find them for sale at a Dragon Boat Festival, as well as throughout Chinatown. SPORTS In Queens, an Annual Dragon Boat Festival Brings Cultures Together. You can use festival quotes and poems to inspire others or brighten their day. The leaves also give a special aroma and flavor to the sticky rice and fillings. 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Desperately, people in that area attempted to rescue Qu Yuan or find his corpse, yet with no success. Dunw nkng., Dragon Boat Festival is a public holiday in Hong Kong. Dragon Boat Festival Greetings: Happy or Health? After all, its the festival of good fortune and luck, and it deserves to be celebrated with family and friends. Read More , Rice dumplings are parcels of glutinous rice stuffed with different savory or sweet fillings and wrapped in bamboo leaves. Support Colorado Dragon Boat. China's Mid-Autumn Festival: A Celebration of Family, Friends, and the Coming Harvest, Thank You, Teacher: Celebrating Teachers Day in China, Chinas Lantern Festival: A Guide to China's Age-Old Celebration, Chinese poet and government official during Warring States period. Another theory, advanced by Wen Yiduo, is that the Dragon Boat Festival originated from dragon worship. The other three are Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival and Qingming Festival. The Dragon Boat Festival is referred to as Duanwu Jie in Mandarin Chinese. The Dragon Boat Festival is called Duan Wu Jie in Chinese. We are the LARGEST Dragon Boat Festival in the USA! 1. For many people, no visit to the island would be complete without seeing this event. Festival falls on 18th June 2018, 7th June 2019 and 25th June 2020 and is a public holiday in Hong . Moon Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival - September 29, 2023. Thu to Fri. The most renowned is in observance of Qu Yuan. To honor the memory of Qu Yuan, a loyal minister who drowned himself in the river, people also throw bamboo leaves filled with cooked rice into the water as an offering to his spirit. China Tours The cooked zongzi is called "yizhi zong".[22]. Today, however, most dragon boats are made of modern materials such as fiberglass. 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. It is the Dragon Boat Festival. Prior to the Dragon Boat Festival, its a good idea to pick up supplies to make rice dumplings, but thats all youll really need. Read on to discover the origins of the Dragon Boat Festival and learn more about the customs associated with this traditional celebration. Jin Dynasty, dumplings were officially designated as the Dragon Boat Festival food. The summer solstice is considered the annual peak of male energy while the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, represents the annual peak of feminine energy. The most common length for a race, however, is 500 meters (1,640 feet). Some modern research suggests that the stories of Qu Yuan or Wu Zixu were superimposed onto a pre-existing holiday tradition. What is Chinese Labor Day ( Lodngji) and how is it celebrated? The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the fifth lunar month fifth day. More details can be found in our privacy policy. Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and attentive your personal local guides will The fifth lunar month is considered an unlucky month. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Every year, the dragon boat festival is observed on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Zongzi come in both sweet and savory varieties. During the Dragon Boat festival, people celebrate by eating zongzi or sticky rice dumplings. The holiday is celebrated outdoors during the summer, features exciting dragon boat races and involves themes that are easily accessible for children. Dragon boat teams from around the world participate in the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival in south China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, June 22, 2018. It falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month . Hey, Its Chinaler, here to be your expert guide with travelling China, Chinese learning, and China culture. Weoffer community a time to celebrate our heritage and honor distinguished community leaders. Their main Dragon Boat Festival celebrations are eating zongzi and driving away insects. It is celebrated to commemorate Qu Yuan, a famous ancient Chinese scholar who drown himself in a river. The Dragon Boat Festival ( or Dunwji in pnyn) is an official public holiday in Mainland China. share interesting stories, insider information, and even create unexpected Learning about these traditional festivals is a fun and interesting way to enrich your understanding of Chinese culture. China Travel Restrictions 2023 & Travel Advisory. Colorado Dragon Boat Festival JULY 22ND & 23RD, 2023 SLOAN'S LAKE PARK IN DENVER. Find & Download the most popular Dragon Tree PSD on Freepik Free for commercial use High Quality Images Made for Creative Projects The origin of this festival dates many centuries back and is based on activities in remembrance of a great Chinese poet, Qu Yuan. Such a date is the reason why this festival is also called the Double Fifth Festival. . Although Wu Zixu is commemorated in southeast Jiangsu and Qu Yuan elsewhere in China, much of Northeastern Zhejiang including the cities of Shaoxing, Ningbo and Zhoushan celebrates the memory of the young girl Cao E (; AD 130144) instead. Since the shape ofcalamus leaves is sword-like, hanging theplantis also believed to dispel eviland bring health to the family,especiallychildren., Many contagious diseases and plagues were said to originate during the fifth lunar month,when the Dragon Boat Festival takes place.The fifth lunar month was considered an unlucky month.. Her Majesty told me this, so that day I went all over everywhere and dug into the ground, but found nothing.[18]. highlights! Participating in or attending dragon boat races, A Brief Guide to the Chinese New Year ( Chnji). Dragon boat festival is a traditional festival celebrated by the Chinese. Dragon boat races and dumplingstwo of the most distinctive elements of the festival have their roots in a story of patriotism and politics. Epic Trips Mini Trips Sailing Trips . The festival is a time to reflect on theimportance of loyalty and commitment to the community. Request a custom itinerary today and get one step closer to your personalized trip. Out of disappointment in the Chu monarch, he drowned himself in the Miluo River. Realgar is a traditional Chinese medicine. Our family is excited, especially Baba. A popular origin story is again about Qu Yuan. The use of the lunar calendar to set the festivals date means that it is celebrated at a different time every year. The people of China generally receive a three-day break from work in order to celebrate with friends and family. Because of the close relationships between audience members and participants, the atmosphere during these local races can be particularly exuberant. Why Is Dragon Boat Festival So Important? Download, Fun What is the Chinese Winter Solstice Festival () and how is it celebrated? During the festival, people often wear these pouches around their necks or hang them from their clothing. Boston's annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival returns for an in-person celebration in 2022, complete with racing on the Charles, Asian street food, activities for . 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. Despite most of the races for this year's festival being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, paddlers can still compete in cyberspace via the Virtual Dragon Boat Challenge 2020, a charity event organized by Dragon Boat Innovate. Xi Shi, a beautiful woman sent by King Goujian of the state of Yue, was much loved by King Fuchai of Wu. The Hungry Ghost Festival () is a unique and significant event in Chinese culture, Chinese Zodiac Sign: A Guide To Unlock The Secrets, Ever wondered how the 12-year horoscope of the Chinese zodiac came about? Over the years, dragon boat racing has developed into a sport with a variety of rules and regulations. /VCG. Read More . The Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and elsewhere around the world. See how you can make a beautiful boat with just some colorful paper, a few common items from around the house and our printable template. Traditionally, mugwort and calamus have been hung around the house or in boats, symbolizing protection from harm. A bodice worn by kids with symbols of the Five Poisonous Insects on it to deter poisonous insects, and reptiles such as frogs, lizards, snakes. The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday that has been around in various forms for thousands of years. Read about my experience joining the Oakland Renegades to see if its for you. Your tour will be tailor-made by your personal travel advisor a destination expert. In Europe, the tradition was introduced to Germany over 30 years ago. The distance covered by racers can vary from 100 to 2,000 meters (328 to 6,562 feet). The first edition of the Dragon Boat Festival was officially launched in Hamburg in 1989 to mark the 800th anniversary of the city's port. The coalition brings together community leaders from civil rights and social justicegroups, multicultural chambers, interfaith, educators, legislators, and lawmakers to collaborate on hate crimes and bullyingby maintaining open lines of communications, sharing resources, in addition to outreach and education to communities. Page across from the article title its for you, Essie among people used to promote exchanges! Discover the origins of the crew members by birth or marriage LARGEST Dragon Boat is... 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Of China generally receive a three-day break from work in order to celebrate with friends and family deserves to celebrated... 2023 SLOAN & # x27 ; S LAKE PARK in Denver racing in San Francisco 2008... ( ) and how is it celebrated race, however, he himself... Or mushrooms in various forms for thousands of years wishes are a type of pyramid-shaped dumpling made glutinous! Attentive your personal travel advisor a destination expert is again about Qu Yuan wishes are type.