The Dragon Boat Festival, Duānwǔ Jié , marks the arrival of summer. This day occurs on the 5th day of the 5th month on the lunar calendar.

During the festival people gather at river banks to watch many people race dragon boats.

It’s also a time to remember one of China’s most famous poets Qū Yuán.

Qu Yuan a poet and statesman lived in a state by the name of Chu. He hated corruption but it was all around him. He tried to help his country and no one would listen. His enemies told lies to the king and he was kicked out of the state.

He lived in exile for 67 years and wrote poetry. He remained loyal to his king.

One day he found out enemy troops were starting to invade the state of Chu to over throw the king

Qū Yuán was so heartbroken that he threw himself into the river and drowned.

Not long after Qū Yuán’s death a fisherman threw rice into the Milo River to please the River God. He heard a voice from the bottom of the river say, “I’m hungry!” This happens for the next day.

On the 3rd day, the fisherman threw a big bag of rice into the river. The spirit of Qū Yuán spoke to him and explained there is a dragon at the bottom of the river and it eats the rice before he has a chance. The spirit tells the fisherman to wrap the rice in leaves and attach them to black, green, and red ropes to scare the dragon

The Spirit also tells the fisherman to throw in handfuls of loose rice too make sure both of them are happy.

The fisherman does what he is supposed to do and is rewarded with a net full of fish.

Race wooden Dragon boats with a carved dragon head at the front and a tail at the back

Musicians and performers sing songs and tell stories using bamboo clackers called zhupian

Around Dragon Boat festival, people wear small bags filled with herbs and plants to keep illness and evil spirits away. These bags are called xiangbao

People make rice packets called zongzi Occurs on June 16, 2010