This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about Dragon Boat Festival (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. Dragon Boat Festival is observed on June 22nd.
Among the information you’ll find below: the history of Dragon Boat Festival, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as intriguing facts you should know about Dragon Boat Festival.
📅 What day is Dragon Boat Festival 2024?
In 2024, Dragon Boat Festival is on Thursday, June 22nd. It is the 4th Thursday in June; in 2024, it is Saturday. There are until the next observance. You also can view all the exciting details and facts about June 22, 2023, that you might not be aware of.
The Dragon Boat Festival occurs on June 22 this year and is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. It is a renowned international festival, particularly in southern China, drawing in locals and tourists alike. At first glance, the event may seem to revolve around dragon-shaped boat races and the consumption of zongzi, a sweet-savory dumpling associated with the festival. However, what many are unaware of is that the Dragon Boat Festival is actually a commemoration of an esteemed poet from nearly 2,000 years ago. The festivities originated with a search for his remains.
📜 Dragon Boat Festival History
Over 2,000 years ago, the Dragon Boat Festival was originated, and it is believed by many that it started during the Warring States era with a man named Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan was an influential public servant and poet who was born into a noble family and held important positions, including Chu’s Kingdom Advisor. He dedicated his life to strengthening the Chu kingdom and urged the ruler to form alliances with the state of Qi, one of the seven fighting countries at the time, in order to overthrow the powerful Qin state. However, his advice was ignored, and he was even accused of treason by the court authorities. As a result, Qu Yuan was exiled and stripped of his duties.
During his exile, Qu Yuan wrote beautiful poems praising China and its glory. Unfortunately, the conquest of the Chu capital by the Qin state brought great sorrow to him. Overwhelmed by grief, Qu Yuan chose to drown himself in the Miluo River. This happened on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, which has just passed. In an attempt to find his body, the distraught residents of Chu launched their boats onto the river, but their efforts were in vain. As they rowed their boats up and down the river, they played drums and pounded the water with paddles to scare away evil spirits. Legend has it that they also dropped rice balls, known as zongzi, into the river so that the fish would eat them and preserve Qu Yuan’s body. These traditions of eating zongzi and participating in wooden boat races during the Dragon Boat Festival continue to be the main attractions even today.
✅ Dragon Boat Festival Facts
🔖 Marriage among gays is legal
In 2019, Taiwan made history by becoming the first Asian nation to legalize same-sex marriages.
🔖 Musical garbage trucks
The purpose of playing loud music from garbage trucks is to alert everyone that it is time to assemble their trash and bring it to the curb.
🔖 Small in size yet densely populated
Taiwan, with a land area similar to that of Belgium, is home to approximately 23 million people.
👍 Why Is Dragon Boat Festival Important
This isn’t just any old boat race. The boats may reach lengths of up to 100 feet, with the fronts fashioned like open-mouthed dragons. Each boat may carry up to 80 rowers.
It’s not a party until you pull out the delectable zongzi. Zongzi is a glutinous rice ball covered in banana leaves with a sweet or savory filling.
Although the festival has a dark history, narratives and meaning evolve over time. Instead, today’s Dragon Boat Festival is a celebration of life.
🙂 How To Observe Dragon Boat Festival
⚡ Watch the races
Dragon boat racing is an internationally celebrated sport that takes place in various locations across the globe. Taiwan and Hong Kong, in particular, offer fantastic opportunities to witness these thrilling races. Both cities are known for hosting frequent races, ensuring that there is always an exciting event happening for spectators to enjoy.
⚡ Balance an egg on its end
According to the legend, it is said that during the event, one can balance an egg on its end precisely at midday. If someone manages to achieve this feat, they are believed to receive good luck for the upcoming year.
⚡ Ward off the evil eye
Adopt the Chinese tradition of wearing a “Xiang Bao,” which is a scented pouch believed to repel negative energies and bring about positive fortune.
📅 When is Dragon Boat Festival?
| YEAR | DATE | DAY |
| 2024 | June 22 | Saturday |
| 2025 | June 22 | Sunday |
| 2026 | June 22 | Monday |
| 2027 | June 22 | Tuesday |
| 2028 | June 22 | Thursday |
Explore all 🔗 June holidays, including 🔗 Cultural and other 🔗 Cultural holidays.
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