«How Many Dragon Boat Festival Traditions Have You Discovered?»

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. It honors the memory of Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet from ancient China who drowned himself in protest, and is marked by dragon boat races, eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), and other customs. The festival dates back over 2,000 years and combines cultural, historical, and communal elements.

Zongzi is a traditional Chinese food made of glutinous rice stuffed with various fillings, wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves, and tied with string. It dates back over 2,000 years and is closely associated with the Dragon Boat Festival, honoring the poet Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in protest against corruption. The dish symbolizes cultural heritage and is enjoyed in many regional variations across China and other East Asian countries.

Dragon Boat Races are a traditional Chinese cultural event with a history dating back over 2,000 years, originating as a ritual to honor the poet Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in the Miluo River. The races feature long, narrow boats decorated like dragons, with teams paddling in sync to the beat of drums. Today, they are celebrated worldwide as both a competitive sport and a vibrant cultural festival, often held during the Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Festival) in early summer.

«Wormwood» could refer to several places or cultural references, but one notable mention is **Wormwood Scrubs**, a large open space in West London, also home to **HMP Wormwood Scrubs**, a historic prison opened in 1874. The name originates from the wormwood plants that once grew in the area. Alternatively, «Wormwood» is linked to biblical and literary symbolism, often representing bitterness or divine punishment, as in the Book of Revelation or Aldous Huxley’s dystopian works.

Scented sachets are small fabric pouches filled with aromatic herbs, flowers, or spices, traditionally used to perfume clothing, linens, or spaces. Originating in ancient China during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), they were initially worn for medicinal and spiritual purposes, believed to ward off evil and promote health. Today, they remain a cultural symbol in China and are popular worldwide as decorative and fragrant items.

Kites are traditional flying objects, often made of paper or fabric stretched over a lightweight frame, and have been used for over 2,000 years, originating in China. They have served various purposes, including military signaling, scientific experiments, and cultural celebrations. Today, kite flying is a popular recreational activity and artistic expression, with festivals held worldwide, such as the *Weifang International Kite Festival* in China, showcasing intricate designs.

The Miluo River, located in Hunan Province, China, is a historically and culturally significant site most famous for its association with Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet of the Warring States period (475–221 BCE). According to legend, Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River in 278 BCE to protest political corruption, leading to the tradition of Dragon Boat Festival celebrations held in his honor. Today, the river remains a symbol of loyalty and patriotism, attracting visitors for its scenic beauty and cultural heritage.

Qu Yuan (c. 340–278 BCE) was a patriotic Chinese poet and statesman during the Warring States period, best known for his contributions to classical poetry and his tragic death by drowning in the Miluo River. His sacrifice is commemorated during the Dragon Boat Festival, where people race dragon boats and eat zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) to honor his memory. Qu Yuan’s works, such as *Li Sao* («Encountering Sorrow»), are foundational to Chinese literature and reflect his deep love for his homeland, Chu, and his despair over its political decline.