Taiwan is known for its rich cultural heritage and colorful festivals. One of the most exciting and widely celebrated events in Taiwan is the Dragon Boat Festival. With its unique traditions and thrilling dragon boat races, this festival captivates locals and visitors alike. In this article, we will explore the Dragon Boat Festival in Taiwan, its history, customs, and where you can witness the exhilarating races in 2024.
Dragon Boat Festival: What is it?
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival that commemorates the famous poet Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan was a patriotic poet from the ancient state of Chu who lived during the Warring States period. Legend has it that when Chu was conquered, Qu Yuan, filled with despair, drowned himself in the Miluo River.
The Dragon Boat Festival is held on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, which usually falls in June. This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm not only in Taiwan but also in other parts of China and many countries around the world with significant Chinese populations.
Dragon Boat Festival: The History
The roots of the festival can be traced back to the Warring States period, a significant era that preceded the creation of the first unified imperial Chinese state. During this time, the Kingdom of Chu, located in what is now southern-central China, faced the impending unification efforts of the Qin dynasty.
One notable figure from this period was Qū Yuán, a poet and statesman of the Chu kingdom. Qū Yuán contributed to the ancient poetic compilation known as The Songs of the South (Chǔ Cí). However, he is most remembered for his tragic death and the festival that arose in his honor.
In 278 BCE, the Kingdom of Chu suffered a severe defeat at the hands of the Qin dynasty. Overwhelmed by grief for his country, Qū Yuán waded into the Miluo River and drowned himself in an act of ritual suicide. Local villagers attempted to rescue him but could only toss rice wrapped in bamboo leaves into the river as an offering to his spirit and to prevent fish from devouring his body. This act of offering rice is believed to be the origin of the tradition of making zòngzi rice dumplings during the Dragon Boat Festival.
To commemorate Qū Yuán, villagers held annual dragon boat races on the anniversary of his death. This tradition spread to many other regions and has persisted to this day. Dragon boat racing has become a global phenomenon, with the first international dragon boat race taking place in Hong Kong in 1976 and the establishment of the International Dragon Boat Federation in 1991. Annual dragon boat racing tournaments and championships are now held worldwide, and the sport continues to gain popularity.
Dragon Boat Festival Customs Celebrated in Taiwan
Dragon Boat Races
The highlight of the Dragon Boat Festival in Taiwan is the thrilling dragon boat races. Teams of rowers paddle in sync to the beat of drums, striving to cross the finish line first. The sight of colorful boats slicing through the water, accompanied by the rhythmic drumming, creates an exhilarating atmosphere.
In Taiwan, dragon boat races combine elements of Chinese folk culture with pre-existing Indigenous boat-racing traditions. Taiwanese dragon boats are constructed in the “sampan” style, referring to small traditional flat-bottom vessels. These boats are adorned with intricate patterns inspired by East Asian dragons, each region boasting unique dragon boat designs. Taiwanese dragon boats are colorful, featuring dragon-scale motifs on their bodies. The bows often display sculpted or molded dragon heads, while the sterns exhibit curled tails. Each dragon boat is equipped with a large taiko-style drum or a hand-held gong, with a designated drummer responsible for maintaining a high-paced and rhythmic beat to synchronize the rowers’ efforts.
Before the races begin, a ceremony called “Awakening the Dragon” is performed. The pupils in the eyes of the dragon boats are left blank, and during the ceremony, they are “dotted” with dark red ink mixed with water from the race’s river. This ritual, which also incorporates a small amount of earth from the riverbank, symbolically awakens and invokes the spirit of the dragon. Once the ceremony is complete, the races commence.
Making and Eating Zongzi
Zongzi, pyramid-shaped sticky rice dumplings, are an essential part of the festival. These delicious treats are typically filled with various ingredients such as pork, beans, and nuts, wrapped in bamboo leaves, and then steamed or boiled. Making and sharing zongzi with family and friends is a cherished tradition during the Dragon Boat Festival.
Egg-Balancing
A unique custom during the Dragon Boat Festival in Taiwan is egg-balancing. It is believed that if you can balance an egg on its end at noon on this day, you will have good luck for the coming year. Many people participate in this challenge, hoping to achieve good fortune and prosperity.
Chasing off Disease and Evil Spirits
To ward off disease and evil spirits, people hang up pouches filled with herbs, such as mugwort, calamus, and garlic, on their doors. These fragrant herbs are believed to have protective properties and are thought to bring good health and fortune to the household.
Where and When to See Dragon Boat Races in Taipei (2024)
If you’re planning to visit Taiwan in 2024, witnessing the exhilarating dragon boat races is an absolute must. This year, the competitions will take place on the Keelung River from the 8th to the 10th of June. The race site is easily accessible from Dazhi MRT station of the brown line, so make sure to mark your calendar and experience this thrilling event firsthand.
Find more information about it on the official website of the Taipei International Dragon Boat Championships.
Chinese Vocabulary about Dragon Boat Festival
To enhance your understanding and appreciation of the Dragon Boat Festival, here are some essential Chinese vocabulary words related to the festival:
| Chinese | Bopomofo | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 端午節 | ㄉㄨㄢ ㄨˇ ㄐㄧㄝˊ | duān wǔ jié | Dragon Boat Festival |
| 划船比賽 | ㄏㄨㄚˊ ㄔㄨㄢˊ ㄅㄧˇ ㄙㄞˋ | huá chuán bǐ sài | Boat Race |
| 粽子 | ㄗㄨㄥˋ ㄗˇ | zòng zi | Zongzi (Rice Dumplings) |
| 龍舟 | ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄓㄡ | lóng zhōu | Dragon Boat |
| 划龍舟 | ㄏㄨㄚˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄓㄡ | huá lóng zhōu | Paddle a Dragon Boat |
| 慶祝 | ㄑㄧㄥˋ ㄓㄨˋ | qìng zhù | Celebrate |
The Dragon Boat Festival in Taiwan is a fascinating cultural event that combines ancient traditions with thrilling competitions. With its history rooted in the legendary poet Qu Yuan, this festival offers a unique glimpse into Taiwanese customs and folklore. From the pulse-pounding dragon boat races to the delectable zongzi and captivating customs, the Dragon Boat Festival in Taiwan is an experience that should not be missed. So, mark your calendars and immerse yourself in the vibrant celebrations of this remarkable festival in 2024.
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