Dragon Boats Take Over Google: Celebrating 2024’s Festival with a Doodle

The Dragon Boat Festival is a vibrant celebration with a rich history and tradition, held annually on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, which is late May or June in the Gregorian calendar. This year’s Dragon Boat Festival happens to be today, June 10, 2024. Google Doodle celebrates the festival with a special doodle, mentioning: “Get ready to go with the flow – this Doodle celebrates the Dragon Boat Festival! For over 2,000 years, people have celebrated the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, hence the name “May 5th Festival”.

Source: Google Doodle

What is the history of the Dragon Boat Festival?

The festival commemorates Qu Yuan, a revered Chinese scholar and poet from the Warring States Period (475-221 BC). Legend has it that Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River out of hatred for the corruption of his time. To prevent fish from eating his body, locals sail out of the water in boats to scare away the fish and throw rice dumplings into the water as a sacrifice.

The National Library Board of Singapore states: “Primitive people usually worshipped the Jianglong during the summer solstice. It was only in the second century AD that the Dragon Boat Festival was linked to the story of Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan was a counselor and patriotic minister of the State of Chu in the third century BC. During the turmoil of the Warring States period, Qu Yuan warned his king, King Huai, that the Qin State in the north posed a threat to the State of Chu in the south. However, political intrigue led King Huai to exile Qu Yuan instead. Qu Yuan took control of the government and watched his country decline.”

What is the significance of the Dragon Boat Festival?

The Dragon Boat Festival is of great significance for several reasons:

  • Commemoration: Traditionally, it is seen as a way to commemorate the patriotic poet Qu Yuan who drowned himself in protest.
  • Patriotism and loyalty: Qu Yuan’s story reflects these values ​​and inspires people to devote themselves to their country.
  • Avoiding evil: The fifth month of the lunar calendar is considered unlucky, so customs such as horse racing and drinking realgar wine are intended to drive away evil spirits and disease.
  • Celebrating community: The festival brings people together to race dragon boats, enjoy traditional food and share cultural traditions.
  • Cultural Identity: The Dragon Boat Festival expresses traditions and strengthens cultural identity through customs such as dragon boat racing and wearing silk belts.

How is the Dragon Boat Festival celebrated?

The Dragon Boat Festival is a vibrant celebration with traditions that vary from region to region. Here are some of the main ways people celebrate the festival:

  • Dragon Boat Races: An iconic event! Long, ornately decorated boats and teams of paddlers race to the beat of drums.
  • Zongzi Feast: Families and friends gather to eat zongzi, a glutinous rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves. The fillings vary from salty meat to sweet red bean paste.
  • Wearing a five-colored silk belt or hanging a statue of Zhong Kui (a mythical demon) are other ways to ward off bad luck.
  • Lion and dragon dances as well as vibrant opera added a festive touch to the celebrations.
  • Some areas perform traditional songs and unicorn dances.

Google Doodle mentions: “Anywhere you can see water is packed with people watching the main event of the day: the dragon boat race. Teams of up to 90 people crowd into long wooden boats that are painted in the shape of colorful dragons. After painting eyes on the dragon to bring it to life, it’s time to paddle to the beat of drums to reach the finish line ahead of the other teams.”

“Besides the fierce competition, the day’s traditional activities include expelling insects and diseases, as the high summer temperatures lead to increased pest activity. Children often wear five-colored silk threads for protection, and at home, people hang sachets of herbs and plants to repel insects. When it comes to snack time, many people reach for realgar wine and rice dumplings, which are eaten to honor the legacy of ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan,” It added.

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