The Dragon Boat Festival (May 5th by lunar calendar) combines ancestor worship, dragon boat racing, protective charms, and festive eating. Also known as Duanyang Festival or Fivefold Day, this traditional Chinese holiday ranks with Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival. It became a national holiday in 2008 and holds the distinction of being China’s first UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Key traditions include zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) and hanging mugwort to ward off illness.
What kind of Hanfu is worn during the Dragon Boat Festival?
During the Dragon Boat Festival, many historical and cultural blocks or parks in cities hold Hanfu parade activities. Participants wear various types of Hanfu, such as: the nimble and elegant Qixiong Ruqun , the simple and elegant Quju Shenyi (curved-front deep robe), the light and plain (strapless pleated skirt, and the stunning Mamianqun. Hanfu in different forms showcases the clothing charm of various dynasties, as if allowing people to travel back through the long river of history. Hanfu is also decorated with Dragon Boat Festival characteristic accessories such as sachets and fragrance pouches, which not only display the beauty of Hanfu but also convey the cultural connotations of the Dragon Boat Festival to more people.
Handicraft Experience
How can the Dragon Boat Festival be without handicraft activities? Many places hold traditional craftsmanship experiences combined with Hanfu culture. Among them, making sachets is a popular project: dressed in Hanfu, participants select materials such as mugwort and spices under the guidance of teachers and sew exclusive festival sachets by hand. In addition, painting round fans is also deeply loved. For example, on a white fan surface, everyone freely creates with red and blue ink and colorful pigments. The scene of people making handicrafts in Hanfu seems to reproduce the lively atmosphere of ancient street celebrations during the Dragon Boat Festival.
Dragon Boat Festival Cuisine
The ancient-style market is the “highlight” of Dragon Boat Festival activities. The market is filled with a dazzling array of stalls: exquisite Hanfu accessories (hairpins, buyao [dangling hair ornaments], jade pendants, etc.) are lovable, festival foods such as zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) and mung bean cakes are fragrant, and traditional games such as touhu (arrow throwing) and dou dan (egg fighting) are full of fun. People in Hanfu shuttle among them, adding a strong ancient-style atmosphere to the market, making the cultural atmosphere of the entire festival scene full, as if allowing people to immerse themselves in a Dragon Boat Festival event that travels through thousands of years.
The Most Common Hanfu Activities on the Dragon Boat Festival
| Activity Name | Content Description | Cultural Connotation |
| Quzi Sacrificial Ceremony | Wearing Hanfu to perform ancient rituals, burning incense and offering wine, and reciting Li Sao | Inheriting the patriotic spirit and remembering historical heritage |
| Making Sachets and Colorful Ropes | Filling sachets with cinnabar and mugwort, and weaving five-color silk threads | Dispelling evil and disaster, and conveying good wishes |
| Hanfu Fashion Show and Classical Dance | Showing Hanfu of the Tang, Song and other dynasties, with classical dance performances | Showing the aesthetics of Hanfu and reviving traditional art |
| Mulan Tang (Bathing in Mugwort Soup) and Diansha (Applying Cinnabar) | Washing hands with calamus and mugwort, and dotting the character king with realgar on children’s foreheads | Removing bad luck and praying for children’s healthy growth |
| Touhu and Dou Dan | Participating in the competitive game of throwing arrows into a pot or the egg-fighting game | Adding a festive and joyful atmosphere |
| Intangible Cultural Heritage Handicraft Experience | Experiencing intangible cultural heritage projects such as woodcarving rubbings and water water round fans with Dragon Boat Festival themes | Protecting traditional craftsmanship and enriching cultural expressions |
On the occasion of the Dragon Boat Festival, Hanfu activities are held around the world. You can go to local Chinese residential areas to watch them. Many activities also set up knowledge quizzes, and if you answer correctly, you will receive gifts.
