[Commentary] The fifth day of the fifth lunar month is the traditional Chinese festival, the Dragon Boat Festival. Some folklorists said that the traditional customs of the Dragon Boat Festival actually contain a wealth of knowledge of epidemic prevention and health care in traditional Chinese medicine, which can be called the “hygiene and epidemic prevention and health care festival” in ancient China. So what are the folk customs of Dragon Boat Festival? Recently, folkloric scholar Yang Xin said in an interview that the special Dragon Boat Festival is different from other festivals since the blessing.
[Same period] Yang Xin, a folklorist
Why do you want to wish each other well in the Dragon Boat Festival in May? Because the Dragon Boat Festival is the fifth day of May, the summer solstice has actually arrived. The highest temperature (period) of the year has arrived. The weather is hot and humid and rainy, and the "five poisons" (poisonous insects) are also prevalent. This person is easy to get sick. There has always been a saying among the folks that "good month is good, evil month". At the Dragon Boat Festival, the people also have many ways to prevent epidemic. So every time we arrive at the Dragon Boat Festival, when people meet each other, they greet Ankang, not happy.
[Explanation] In addition, in terms of food customs, the Dragon Boat Festival also has its own unique features. In addition to the sweet and salted rice dumplings and realgar wine in various parts of the country, in the northern part of China, it is also popular to eat a unique pastry, namely the five poisonous cakes, every Dragon Boat Festival.
[Same period] Yang Xin, a folklorist
In fact, the five poisonous cakes are made of five poisonous animals such as scorpions, centipedes, and snakes, so they are made into the shape of this cake and eaten. Especially let the children eat, feel that the five poisons do not invade. To say that the five poisonous cakes, the most important ones (fillings) are lotus paste, bean paste, and so on. Going to the summer, going to the cold, and getting wet in the summer, these are the five favorite fillings of Beijingers.
【Explanation】In addition to using the delicious tongue on the tongue to strengthen the body and pray for disasters, every Dragon Boat Festival, people will also hang plants such as calamus and wormwood inside and outside the house to disinfect and sterilize and expel pests.
[Same period] Yang Xin, a folklorist
Before and after the Dragon Boat Festival, the traditional people usually put calamus and wormwood in front of their homes. This calamus is like two big swords, so it is also called "Pu Jian" and "Aihu". In the classic literature (Masterpiece) "Dream of Red Mansions", there was once a sentence called "Puhai Hairpin Gate, Tiger Rune Arm". Later, people added this flower to pomegranate flower, garlic head and dragon boat flower. These five kinds are put together to restrain the "five poisons". Aiye has the functions of removing phlegm, reducing inflammation and dissolving cold and dampness. This calamus root also has the effect of repellent evil, diuretic and analgesic. Pomegranate flowers and dragon boat flowers are fire-like in color and have the effect of sterilization and exorcism. The garlic head also has the effect of anthelmintic sterilization and disinfection because of its strong smell.
[Commentary] Yang Xin introduced that the tradition of epidemic prevention and health care is also reflected in many aspects of the folk customs of the Dragon Boat Festival.
[Same period] Yang Xin, a folklorist
In the past, literati like to wall clock Kui during this period, because this clock Kui is a very loyal, straightforward, and innocent hero. The red color of the painting Zhong Kui is basically cinnabar. In traditional Chinese folklore, cinnabar is a function of exorcizing evil spirits, correcting evil, and removing dampness. In addition, family members should prepare sachets for underage children during this period. What is in this sachet? Actually it is cinnabar, realgar, and the leaves of calamus and mugwort are hanging on the child, so the five poisons do not invade. In the concise version, the child will have multicolored silk thread hanging on it. When will this silk thread be removed? It was after the first heavy rain after May afternoon that the silk thread could be removed from the body.
[Explanation] Folklore scholars believe that the health and epidemic prevention practices of the Dragon Boat Festival not only embodies the ancient people's concerns about the living environment and their own health, but also contains the scientific wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine to prevent and cure diseases. "Health Day" is not an exaggeration.
Fan Siyi reports from Beijing
Editor in charge: [Tao Guangxiong]