How did people in Tang Dynasty mark the Dragon Boat Festival?

This is China's Duan… Is this the Tang Dynasty? Yes, but you don't look like the person from… Are you celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival? Yes, uh-huh. So what do you know about this festival? Well, I come from the distant future, more than a thousand years from the Tang Dynasty. People in my world still celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival. The customs for this traditional holiday involve eating zongzi, holding dragon boat races, and hanging mugwort and calamus leaves on doors of homes. And we get a one-day national holiday for it. I'm curious, how did the Tang Dynasty people celebrate this traditional festival? What a coincidence. We also get a day off for this holiday. You've come just in time. So let me show you how we roll. One of the most popular games played here during the Dragon Boat Festival or creating rhyming poetry. The basic rule is that each person draws a paper slip out of a jar. The paper contains a word written on it. Whichever word you draw, you use it as a line for creating your poem. Those who do well will receive a gift from his majesty. So why don't you give it a try? Oh my, this is like a pop quiz. I mean, this is a little bit challenging for me. But let us revisit a poem by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. Bravo! Then within the royal palace, his majesty would bestow fans, bells, clothes, and longevity bracelets. Just like this one. It is woven from red, yellow, blue, white, and black silk threads. The five colors correspond to the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Wearing it can prevent disease and ward off bad luck and also give blessings for safety. In the folk customs, it's about exchanging gifts with friends and family. Celebrations and gifts. Great holiday vibes. I mean, this custom is no longer prevalent in the modern times. As for now, one of the most popular activities during the Dragon Boat Festival is dragon boat racing. People in different regions across China hold dragon boat races of various skills. Overseas, in countries like Germany, the United States, Singapore, and the United Kingdom, it is also a widely popular activity. So glad to learn that our customs and traditions are loved and shared by so many others. After more than 1,000 years, when the Dragon Boat Festival made its way to Asian countries, it integrated local culture and adopted new forms. In Japan, this is a day full of masculine power. A celebration for men. During this festival, people eat zongzi and hang calamansi. As for Vietnam, besides eating zongzi, dispelling insects and picking herbal medicines are important practices. I'm glad that after so many years of development, the Dragon Boat Festival has become a holiday rich in traditions and carrying great significance. Prior to the Tang Dynasty, the Dragon Boat Festival used to be a solemn day. This is the reason why people had mugwort and wear colored dress to ward off evil spirits. During the Tang Dynasty, with the vast expanse of our lands, great national power, prosperous culture, and our wise majesty, the Dragon Boat Festival has evolved into a national celebration. It's become this vibrant and bustling festival as we see now. Wait, do you hear that? What's that sound? Oh, it's about time! Follow me, follow me! Wow, look at those tattoos, those arms, that vibing skills. Hang on, why are these games held during the evening? Those tattoos and firearms are meant to scare away the ferocious dragons in the water that cause loss. As for the game, it can be held both in the morning and afternoon. Actually, the timing of the game has to do with ritual purposes as well as keeping the evil spirits away. I mean, you're real pros in festival celebrations. It has been such a memorable day for me. Thank you for taking me on this time traveling experience. Now, I've got an inside look on how the Tang Dynasty people celebrated the Dragon Boat Festival. And today, thousands of years later, we're still carrying on these rich traditions. You get a sense of people's wishes for good health and good life. Be assured, we'll continue to promote this Dragon Boat Festival and preserve its cultural significance. I'm glad you say so. Oh, I have to go cheer for the dragon boat races now. So, see you next time. Bye!