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The Dragon Boat Festival memorializes the patriot poet Qu Yuan and has long held an important place in China’s agrarian society. It’s one of the three big annual festivals designated for the living — the others are Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The Story of Qu Yuan
Qu Yuan was a poet and government official during the Warring States period more than 2,000 years ago. Once a trusted advisor to the Chu state ruler, Qu Yuan was banished to the countryside by court rivalry, where he wrote impassioned poems expressing his loyalty to the kingdom. Upon hearing of the Chu state’s defeat at the hands of the rival Qin, Qu Yuan became so distraught that he sacrificed himself in the rushing waters of the nearby Miluo River. Today, Qu Yuan is admired by the Chinese equally for his lyrical verses and for his unyielding patriotism.
The Dragon Boat Festival and the Lunar Calendar
The Dragon Boat Festival falls on a different date each year between May 27 and June 25. The holiday occurs on the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar, explaining why one of its alternate names is the Double Fifth Festival.
The Dragon Boat Festival takes place during the height of summer. Back in ancient China, farmers held dragon boat races to appease the rain gods and ensure a bountiful rice harvest.
The summer sun and the festival’s namesake dragon are both symbols of masculine yang energy. The solstice explains the holiday’s second alternate name, the Duanwu Festival. Old traditions like drinking realgar wine and hanging a picture of the demon slayer Zhong Kui ward off bad luck.
When is the Dragon Boat Festival?
The Dragon Boat Festival takes place every year between May 27 and June 25 on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. Most Chinese workers will receive three days off from June 20-22 to celebrate the holiday.
Workers receive one day off for the Dragon Boat Festival. Practically speaking, the Dragon Boat Festival is a three day holiday, with up to two of these days “made up” on either the preceding or following weekend.
Dragon Boat Festival dates through 2026 are below.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2015 | June 20 |
| 2016 | June 9 |
| 2017 | May 30 |
| 2018 | June 18 |
| 2019 | June 7 |
| 2020 | June 25 |
| 2021 | June 14 |
| 2022 | June 3 |
| 2023 | June 22 |
| 2024 | June 10 |
| 2025 | May 31 |
| 2026 | June 19 |
Your turn! Do you have any other questions about Dragon Boat Festival history and folklore? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below!
HT: Photo by Asian in NY.
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