The Dragon Boat Festival, one of the most important traditional festivals in China, is still adding a touch of color to people's life.

Was it not an auspicious festival at first?

The various nicknames confirm the long history and importance of the Dragon Boat Festival. However, there is a view that the fifth day of the fifth lunar month is not a good day, and the Dragon Boat Festival is not an auspicious festival.

In the Han Dynasty, some places believed that may was the "evil month", and the fifth day was "the evil day". There was even a custom of "not mentioning the children of May". That is to say, no matter whether the baby was born at this time, no matter whether it was male or female, it would be harmful to the father and mother.

In addition, there are also such sayings as "when you come to an official in May, you won't have to move", "if you build a house in May, you will be bald". This statement may be related to the hot weather in summer. Xiao Fang, a folklore expert, said the hot and humid summer solstice can easily cause people's physical discomfort, and mosquito bites are also likely to cause epidemics. Therefore, as early as the Han Dynasty, this season was regarded as the "black time". People did take many measures to drive away evil spirits.

Can't say "I wish you happiness" during the Dragon Boat Festival?

In the past two years, there is always news circulating on the Internet: because the Dragon Boat Festival was not a good day earlier, we could not wish each other happiness, but said "Dragon Boat Festival is healthy".

According to historical data and experts' opinions, this view does not hold water. Wang Juan, a folklore expert, said that there was no basis for this statement, and it had nothing to do with the "bad day". The Dragon Boat Festival was still the "little girl's Day" in many places in the north. You can wish each other happiness.

More than one scholar mentioned that the Dragon Boat Festival is not a sacrificial Festival. As for the commemoration of Qu Yuan, Wu Zixu and other historical figures, whether there are legends or festivals is still controversial in academic circles. Moreover, the custom of commemorating the ancients is only a part of the customs and cultural connotation of the whole Dragon Boat Festival.

Time: June 25, 2020

Source: China News Network