Chinese Dragon Boat Festival: History, traditions and foods found during this important holiday

Considered one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture, Dragon Boat Festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month and is sometimes referred to as "Double Fifth Day".  It is celebrated as the summer season approaches and is believed to be one of the best times of year to drive away evil in order to stay healthy and safe.  

As summer nears, mosquitoes and other insects become active and the disease season begins.  Chinese believe this day of prayer for mental and physical peace will keep them safe for the rest of the year. 

For 2010, Dragon Boat Festival Day fell on June 16th.  In places like Taiwan, many big races and events were scheduled throughout the weekend of June 11 - June 13 and a number of other events, took place on June 15 - June 16. 

History of Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat holiday dates back to the 5th - 3rd centuries, B.C., in China. A poet by the name of Qu Yuan was a counselor for the government during this time and rallied against the rampant fighting and corruption that plagued this period in China. After urging the king to avoid conflict, he was banished.

During exile, Qu Yuan began composing patriotic poems and after receiving news that his beloved kingdom had been defeated by its rival, he fell into despair and threw himself into the river, subsequently drowning to death.

Upon hearing about his suicide, local fisherman rushed out in long boats to try and rescue him. Realizing they were too late, the fisherman beat drums to scare the fish away and threw jongzi dumplings into the river in hopes the fish would not eat Qu Yuan's body.

Another variation of the story is the common people scattered plain rice to prevent him from suffering hunger and to keep the fish from devouring the poet's body.  Later, the spirit of Qu Yuan's body appeared before his friends and said the rice meant for him was taken by a dragon.  He asked his friends to wrap the rice into three-cornered silk packages to ward off this dragon. 

Dragon Boat Festival Foods

The most important of the festival foods is the jongzi dumpling.  They have become so popular they can be found year round at local restaurants and night markets in places like Taipei. 

Jongzi are basically glutinous (sticky) rice balls filled with a variety of ingredients.  They are often stuffed with different items such as pork, egg yolk, peanuts, beans, sweet potatoes, fruit, mushrooms, or other ingredients.  Rather than silk, the whole ball is wrapped in bamboo leaves and steamed, and then can be topped with cilantro and served with a side of hot sauce. 

Other local foods often found at Dragon Boat Festivals include grilled sausages served on a stick, grilled squid, and peanut cilantro ice cream - which is far tastier than one might imagine based on the name.  A thin crepe like pancake is filled with peanut brittle shavings, three kinds of ice cream (pineapple, taro, and peanut) and topped with a few sprigs of cilantro.  Wrap it up and enjoy!

Dragon Boat Festival Traditions

The dragon is an important element of the Chinese Zodiac and is the only mythical creature of the 12 animals.  Traditionally, dragons are believed to be rulers of the waters and also of the clouds and rains from heaven.  This time of year is also when rice seedlings are transplanted to their paddy fields, making the need for rainfall most important. 

A ritual that is common during Dragon Boat Festival is to dot the bulging eyes of the dragon's head on the boat.  It is called Awakening of the Dragon and is said to symbolize the dragon's sleep and the need to now re-energize its qi (spirit).  

Another custom often seen during Dragon Boat Festival is to cut the shapes of five poisonous or venomous animals out of red paper which is believed to ward off evil spirits during this time of disease.  The red animal cut outs were sometimes placed into the mouths of the carved dragon heads in an attempt to drive away evil.   

Dragon Boat Festival is now celebrated around the world on varying dates.  There are festivities in a number of countries as well as an American Dragon Boat Association that holds races in the U.S.  If you happen to be lucky enough to be traveling somewhere during this important Chinese holiday, be sure to check out a local dragon boat race and enjoy a special jongzi dumpling in Qu Yuan's honor.