If you require assistance during the holiday, please email us at info@chemfineinternational.com or submit your inquiry via our online contact form. We will respond promptly upon our return.

Festival Customs & Celebrations

The Dragon Boat Festival, known as Duānwǔ Jié (端午节), blends community spirit, folklore, and seasonal health practices. Centuries of tradition have given rise to vibrant dragon boat races, rice-wrapped zongzi, and herbal customs designed to ward off illness and bring good fortune.

Dragon Boats & Dragon Worship

In Chinese culture, dragons symbolize power, prosperity, and protection. Dragon boat races feature slender vessels adorned with carved dragon heads and tails. Crews of paddlers—often twenty or more—synchronize their strokes to a drummer’s beat, evoking the mythical creature’s might and unity. Racing not only honors ancient legend but also invokes blessings against misfortune as summer begins.

Zongzi: From Grain to Gourmet Delight

Rice Dumpling Varieties
Zongzi are glutinous rice parcels wrapped in bamboo, reed, or lotus leaves, tied with cotton or straw. Fillings and shapes vary by region:

• Southern China: Savory combinations of marinated pork belly, salted egg yolk, shiitake mushrooms, and peanuts.
• Northern China: Sweet fillings such as red bean paste, jujube paste, or sweetened dates.
• Other Variations: Chestnuts, dried shrimp, taro, or mixed nuts and seeds.

Families begin preparation days in advance—soaking rice, marinating meats, and perfecting wrapping techniques. The aroma of steaming zongzi permeates homes and markets, symbolizing teamwork, patience, and festive joy.

Herbal Customs & Modern Adaptations

Traditionally, households hung bundles of mugwort and calamus at doorways to dispel insects and negative energy. Drinking realgar wine—a rice wine infused with powdered realgar mineral—was believed to safeguard health. Today, people craft herbal sachets filled with fragrant plants to wear as talismans, and schools host calligraphy sessions where students write the character “龙” (dragon) for good fortune.

Contemporary celebrations have expanded globally. From Vancouver’s Inner Harbour to London’s Paddington Basin, dragon boat regattas draw multicultural teams, while charitable races support causes like cancer research and environmental conservation. Such events blend ancient ritual with modern purpose, fostering community bonds across borders.

Chemfine International’s Festival Engagement

At Chemfine International, we embrace the Dragon Boat Festival as an opportunity to reinforce our core values of teamwork, health, and customer appreciation. Recent activities include:

• Intercompany Races: Friendly dragon boat competitions with partner firms to strengthen collaboration.
• Zongzi-Making Workshops: Guided sessions on leaf selection, rice preparation, and wrapping techniques for employees and clients.
• Herbal Wellness Fair: Inviting traditional medicine practitioners to share seasonal health tips and remedies.

Wishing You a Joyous Festival

May your Dragon Boat Festival be filled with the rhythmic thrill of boat races, the savory delight of freshly made zongzi, and the warmth of cherished company. We thank you for your continued trust and partnership, and look forward to serving you with renewed vigor when our offices reopen on June 3, 2025.

Warm regards,
Chemfine International Co., Ltd.