The Dragon Boat Festival originated in Ancient China and it commemorates the life and death of the famous Chinese scholar Qu Yuan, who was a loyal minister of the King of Chu in the third century BCE. The Dragon Boat Festival traditionally falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese Lunar Calendar and many people have different ways of celebrating it. Some traditions that people participate in on this day are Dragon Boat Racing, eating zongzi (a traditional Chinese rice dish made of glutinous rice stuffed with different fillings and wrapped in bamboo leaves), wearing perfume pouches and wearing 5 color string bracelets.       
       Three things that my family commonly does on this day are; eat zongzi, hang perfume pouches and wear this 5 color string bracelet. Parents would usually make this for their children to wear in order to protect them from evil spirits and wish for them a long and healthy life. The child would wear this bracelet until the first rain after the festival and then they would throw their bracelet into the water. It is believed that these colored strings can bring good luck and that if you throw them into the water after you wear them, you can sweep away illness and disease.
       My family migrated to the United States when I was six (2012). My mom went first to get settled and then me, my dad and my grandparents came. I am sure that my ancestors have celebrated this holiday. Even though the United States does not celebrate this festival, our family has tried to keep it true and have never thrown away this legendary tradition. 

– DBZ

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