The 5th day of the 5th lunar month is the Duanwu Festival, or the Dragon Boat Festival, which is celebrated everywhere in China. The festival dates back to about 2,000 years ago with a number of legends explaining its origin. The best-known story centers on a great patriotic poet named Qu Yuan.
The customs vary a lot in different areas of the country, but most families hang a picture of Zhong Kui (a ghost that can exorcise), calamus and moxa in their houses. People have Dragon Boat Races, eat zongzi (a dumpling made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves) and carry a spice bag around with them.
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