Since summer is a time when diseases most easily spread, Dragon Boat Festival began as an occasion for driving off evil spirits and pestilence and for finding peace in one's life. The festival was later enriched by the legend of the patriot Chu Yuan (1). The Festival is highlighted by the dragon boat races (2), in which competing teams drive their boats forward rowing to the rhythm of pounding drums. This lively tradition has continued unbroken for centuries to the present day.

      The festival's significance as a time for warding off evil and disease is symbolized by hanging calamus and moxa on the front door, and pasting up pictures of Chung Kuei. Calamus, also known as "water sword" due to its resemblance to a sword, is traditionally hung above doors for its supposed ability to ward off evil and prevent pestilence. People believe that Chung Kuei is the "King of Ghost", possessing the powers to suppress evil spirits.

fragrant sachets

      Adults drink "hsiung huang wine" and children are given fragrant sachets, both are said to possess qualities for preventing evil and bringing peace. Made by mixing the mineral hsiung huang together with rice wine, hsiung huang wine is said to cure illness when taken in small amounts. Since children are forbidden from drinking this potent wine, a few drops are placed instead on their foreheads and drawn into the Chinese character for "king," thus achieving the same protective effect.

calamus & moxa

      Believed to bring luck and repel evil, fragrant sachets are made from colored silk material and filled with aromatic flowers and herbs. In the past, these sachets were knitted by hand, but today the majority is purchased from shops, in a variety of different shapes and styles.

      Another custom practiced in Taiwan is "fetching noon water," in which people draw well water at noon of the festival in belief that it will cure illness. Throngs of people will make a pilgrimage to the Sword Well on Mt. Tachiatiechen to "fetch noon water." This custom is said to have started when the Ming loyalist Koxinga led his troops to Taiwan in the mid-seventeenth century. As the story goes, Koxinga was unable to find water on the island and thus drove his sword into the ground hoping for water to gush forth from the ground. Miraculously, it did. Since the miracle occurred at noon on Dragon Boat Festival, people have incorporated this legend into the day's festivities by climbing mountains to "fetch noon water." It is also said to be an auspicious omen if you are able to stand an egg upright at noon on Dragon Boat Festival.

tzung tzu

      The most popular dish during Dragon Boat Festival is "tzung tzu." It is said that after Chu Yuan ended his life by drowning, people began throwing balls of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves into Milo River to keep the fish from eating the poet's body. Over time these rice balls became more elaborate and varied with the addition of pork, peanuts, salted eggs, and other fillings, gradually evolving into the modern day tsung tzu. It is very convenient to buy tzung tzu made at the stores today. However, many families still prefer to make their own. This is especially true of families with children preparing for the college entrance exams held after Dragon Boat Festival. It is believed that eating homemade tsung tzu before the test will help bring high scores.

 Note 1: Chu Yuan
Chu Yuan lived in the State of Chu during the Warring States period. Patriotic, he remonstrated with the King of Chu on many occasions, expounding on the state of the nation. However, the King believed in lesser officials. Feeling that he could no longer save the nation from the turbulence, Chu Yuan took his life by jumping into the Milo River on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. After Chu Yuan drowned, people tossed glutinous rice cakes into the river to prevent the poet's body from being eaten by fishes. Out of respect for the poet's patriotism, teams of rowers were dispatched to search for his body. Since Chu Yuan was a poet, the day is also known as "Poet's Day."

 Note 2: Dragon Boat Races
Rowing dragon boats began as a ceremony for supplicating the God of Water to prevent disaster and bring fortune, and later attached the story of punting on the Milo River in search for Chu Yuan's body. Dragon boat racing has become today the highlight of all the festivities held on the day.

Before a dragon boat may enter competition, it must first undergo a ceremony to "bring it to life". Local leaders officiate over the ceremony, held on the first day of the fifth lunar month, offering prayer to the Daffodil Noble King. The eyes of the dragon are painted on the boat to "bring it to life". On the fifth day of the month, the boats are carried to the shore amidst the clamor of gongs and drums. Incense, prayers, and fireworks are set off along the way. After the ceremony, the boats enter the water for the competition.

Dragon boat rowing has retained its vibrancy in modern society, becoming increasingly popular each year, both as a sport for physical training and as a spectacle enjoyed by the whole family.