Customs

The customs vary a lot in different areas of the country, but most families hang a picture of Zhong Kui (a ghost that can exorcise), calamus and moxa in their houses. People have Dragon Boat Races, eat zongzi (a dumpling made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves) and carry a spice bag around with them.

1. Hanging Pictures of Zhong Kui

Zhong Kui was the exorcist par excellence. His picture, a fierce-looking man brandishing a magic sword, used to be hung in Chinese houses in order to scare away evil spirits and demons.

2. Hanging Calamus and Moxa

On this day, most families also hang calamus and moxa (oriental plants) on the front door. This is also to ward off evil.

3. Dragon Boat Race

The main event of the festival is the Dragon Boat Race. These boats are long and thin with dragon heads on the bow of the ships. The boat races are said to represent the search for Qu Yuan's body, with racing boats in a forward rowing motion, to the rhythm of beating drums.

4. Zongzi

Qu Yuan drowned on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month in 277 BC. Since ancient times, Chinese people threw dumplings made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves into the water on that day so the fish would eat the rice rather than the body of Qu Yuan.

5. Realgar Wine

It is a very popular practice to drink this kind of Chinese liquor seasoned with realgar on this day, for protection from evil and disease for the rest of the year.

6. Spice Bag

It's believed that if you carry a small spice bag around with you, it not only drives away evil spirits but also brings fortune and happiness to those who wear it. The small bags are hand-made by local craftsmen. They're made with red, yellow, green and blue silk, fine satin or cotton. Figures of animals, flowers and fruits are often embroidered onto the bags and inside are mixed Chinese herbal medicines.

Legend

The festival dates back about 2,000 years with a number of legends explaining its origin. The best-known story centers on a great patriotic poet named Qu Yuan.

In the Warring States Period (475-221BC), the State of Qin in the west was bent on annexing the other states, including the state of Chu, home of great poet Qu Yuan. Holding the second highest office in the state, Qu Yuan urged that the Chu State should resist Qin and ally with the State of Qi to the east. This was opposed by Zhang Yi, a minister of the State of Qin who was trying to disrupt any anti-Qin alliances. He seized upon an incident with a jealous court official in Chu to get rid of Qu Yuan. They made up a rumor that Qu Yuan was leaking state secrets and suborned the King of Chu to banish Qu Yuan from the capital in 313 BC.