Out of the Blue: 2018-2019 February Issue | Page 27

form of a Chinese dragon. During the race, dragon boat teams paddle harmoniously accompanied by the sound of beating drums. It is said the winning team would have good luck and happy life.

During the festival, people also

eat zongzi. This is a snack made

of glutinous rice filled with

meats, beans and other fillings.

It is wrapped in triangle or

rectangle shapes in bamboo

or reed leaves and tied with

soaked stalks or colorful silky

cords.

People believe that drinking realgar wine drives diseases and evils away, so everyone would drink it in hopes of getting rid of evil spirits.

Before the festival

arrives, parents usually

prepare perfume

pouches for their

children, sowing little

colorful bags filled with

perfumes of herbal medicines, then string them with silk threads. The pouches are said to protect from evil.