Event Invitation
The Dragon Boat Festival is one of China’s most cherished holidays, celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. This ancient festival is steeped in history and culture, known for its exciting dragon boat races and eating traditional food zongzi. These races honour the spirit of unity and commemorate the legendary poet Qu Yuan, whose devotion and sacrifice have inspired generations.
Another tradition is wearing five-colored threads bracelet, symbolizing protection and blessings. These threads—red, yellow, blue, white, and green—represent the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) in Chinese philosophy and are believed to ward off misfortune and bring good luck. Families often tie these threads on children’s wrists or ankles, imbuing them with wishes for health and harmony.
What to Expect:
- Learn the Tradition 📜: Discover the rich history and cultural significance behind the Dragon Boat Festival.
- Taste Traditional Food 🍽️: A chance to taste delicious zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) which is the festive food, Chinese snacks and drinks during the event.
- Create Your Own Bracelet : Use traditional materials to craft a colorful five-color bracelet, symbolising good luck and protection.
- Meaningful Keepsake 🎁: At the end of the workshop, take home your own custom bracelet as a meaningful reminder of the festival’s spirit.
Details of the event
If you are a Dear Asia Student
Cultural introduction
The Dragon Boat Festival, 端午节 in Chinese, is a vibrant and historic celebration held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. With roots dating back over 2,000 years, the festival is a time to honor cultural heritage, enjoy festive customs, and reflect on themes of loyalty and community.
One of the most iconic traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival is the thrilling dragon boat races. In these races, teams of paddlers row long, brightly painted boats shaped like dragons to the beat of rhythmic drumming. This tradition is said to commemorate the heroic poet Qu Yuan, who lived during the Warring States period. According to legend, Qu Yuan, a loyal minister, drowned himself in the Miluo River as an act of protest against political corruption. Villagers raced their boats to save him and threw rice into the river to distract fish from his body. Over time, this act evolved into the dragon boat races and the custom of eating zongzi, glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves, which remain a beloved festival food today.
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Dear Asia is a London-based event organiser specialising in creative workshops celebrating Asian cultures. With years of experience, our team excels at hosting engaging events for groups of 15-60 people in your office. We’re passionate about what we do, but our capacity is limited. If you’d like us to run an event for you, visit this page for more details and get in touch!
