During this festival, people participate in dragon boat races, where teams row together to the beat of a drum. The boats are long and narrow, resembling a dragon, and are decorated with colorful designs. It is a thrilling and competitive event that brings people together for a fun-filled day.
In addition to the boat races, another tradition of the Dragon Boat Festival is eating zongzi, a sticky rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves. There are different fillings for zongzi, such as meats, beans, or nuts, which are steamed or boiled. It is believed that eating zongzi will bring good luck and protect against evil spirits.
Furthermore, the festival is also associated with the use of traditional Chinese medicine and herbs. It is believed that this is the time when evil spirits and diseases are most active, so people wear silk threads and herbs to ward off illness and bad luck.
In conclusion, the Dragon Boat Festival is an important cultural event in China that celebrates the life and legacy of Qu Yuan. It is a day filled with excitement, delicious food, and traditions that have been passed down for centuries.