The Blue Dragon Festival, also known as the Zhonghe Festival or Longtaitou Festival, is a holiday closely tied to China’s ancient agrarian culture. It’s a traditional holiday meant to welcome the earliest tentative signs of spring.
Mark Your Calendars
Blue Dragon Festival 2024 is March 11, 2024. It takes place every year between February 21 and March 21 on the 2nd day of the 2nd lunar month.
Here’s a simple guide to a holiday celebrated across the rural countryside to signal nature’s awakening from its winter slumber.
The Basics
Longtaitou literally translates to “dragon raising its head,” a reference to the animal believed to preside over all creatures and, importantly, control the rains. Farmers celebrate the Blue Dragon Festival to ensure favorable rainfall and plowing conditions for a strong harvest season.
The holiday takes place around the time of Jingzhe, the 3rd solar term of the Chinese calendar. This time of year, known as the “waking of insects,” awakens the land and its hibernating animals at the first warming signs of spring.
Blue Dragon Festival Traditions
You are unlikely to see any public celebration of the Blue Dragon Festival outside of China, or even in China’s major cities. Nevertheless, there are several customs from the countryside that you can observe for this holiday.
Clean the House
The Blue Dragon Festival takes place at the start of the 2nd lunar month, making it safe to clean without sweeping away Chinese New Year’s luck and good fortune.
Get a Haircut
Similar to housecleaning, it’s considered bad luck to cut your hair during the 1st lunar month. Cutting your hair on the Blue Dragon Festival aligns yourself with the dragon’s dignity and power.
Eat Dragon Foods
Dumplings are called the “dragon’s ears,” pancakes are the “dragon’s scales” and noodles are the “dragon’s beard,” to express hopes for rain and a good harvest.
When is the Blue Dragon Festival?
The Blue Dragon Festival takes place every year between February 21 and March 21 on the 2nd day of the 2nd lunar month. There is no time off granted for the Blue Dragon Festival.
Blue Dragon Festival dates through 2026 are below.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2015 | March 21 |
| 2016 | March 10 |
| 2017 | February 27 |
| 2018 | March 18 |
| 2019 | March 8 |
| 2020 | February 24 |
| 2021 | March 14 |
| 2022 | March 4 |
| 2023 | February 21 |
| 2024 | March 11 |
| 2025 | March 1 |
| 2026 | March 20 |
Your turn! Do you have any other questions about celebrating the Blue Dragon Festival? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below!
HT: Photo by Xinhua Net.
meme
this site really helped me learn more about the blue dragon festival.Thanks so much for your help.
Wes Radez
Very welcome, Meme. Thanks for stopping by!
Oya
I love learning about other people culture thanks for sharing
Wes Radez
Happy to hear that, Oya. Thanks for writing! ~Wes
Marta
My daughter has been living in China for seven years now and I really want to keep up with things. Although I have visited three times and visited several provinces, I am so happy to have this information. Thanks so much!
Wes Radez
You’re welcome, Marta! Thanks for adding your comment and welcome to the community! ~Wes
Sakura Lim
How do you make dumplings on Dragon Boat Festival??
Wes Radez
Hi Sakura, here’s the information I think you’re looking for: How To Make Rice Dumplings (Zongzi or Joong). ~Wes