The Dragon Boat Festival is the greatest Chinese Regatta!
The Dragon Boat Festival, is a traditional holiday originating in China, occurring near the summer solstice. It is also known as Zhongxiao Festival, commemorating fealty and filial piety. According to some sources, the festival originated from the death of Qu Yuan, a Chinese poet and patriot who lived from 340-278 BCE. Out of concern for the well being of his homeland, he committed suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo River when he learned of the capture of the Chu state by the state of Qin,. The festival now occurs on the 5th day of the 5th month of the traditional Chinese calendar, which is the source of the festival’s alternative name, the Double Fifth Festival.
The focus of most celebrations involve eating zongzi (sticky rice treats wrapped in bamboo leaves), drinking realgar wine, and racing dragon boats. The festival is a statutory holiday in China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. This year it took place on June 9 and was also celebrated in countries like the USA and Canada. Below are the visual highlights of this year’s festivities :
1. Rowers paddling as hard as they can.
Courtesy : Flickr/ken leung
2. A man trying to catch a duck as part of the festival competition.
Courtesy : AP
3. You can also get your hands on some delectable freshly made traditional sticky rice dumplings!
Courtesy : Flickr/Justin K.L Seah
Courtesy : Flickr/J …
Courtesy : Flickr/jh_tan84
4. This is how the stunning boats are handcrafted.
6. Check out these beauties.
Courtesy : Flickr/really wilson
7. Tasting victory.
Courtesy : AP
8. This is what the festival looks like at night.
