The Dragon Boat Festival, occurring annually on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, is one of the most important traditional holidays for Vietnamese people. Apart from its meaning as the “Insect-Killing Festival”, this day is also believed to be a time to exorcise evil spirits, drive away bad luck, and pray for health and good fortune. So, why is the Dragon Boat Festival associated with exorcism? Our ancestors advised doing the following things to bring good luck.
What is the Dragon Boat Festival? Why is it called “Insect-Killing”
The word “Đoan” means the beginning, and “Ngọ” refers to the hour of the horse – the time frame from 11 am to 1 pm. This is considered the peak of the yang energy during the day, as well as the hottest time of the year. Therefore, folk belief holds that this day carries a very strong yang energy, making it suitable for dispelling evil spirits and purifying the body and living environment.
The Dragon Boat Festival is also the time when pests thrive and crops are prone to damage. Ancient farmers held rituals to worship the heavens, earth, and ancestors, and consumed special dishes to “kill insects” both in the fields and within their bodies.
Popular practices with the meaning of exorcism during the Dragon Boat Festival
1. Eating duck meat to cool down and exorcise evil spirits
Duck meat is a must-have dish on the Dragon Boat Festival in many regions. According to folk belief, the word “vịt” (duck) in Chinese sounds similar to the word “áp”, which signifies suppressing evil spirits. Additionally, duck meat has a cooling effect, providing a refreshing option during the hot early summer weather. Some families also exchange duck eggs as a way of wishing each other luck and good health.
2. Eating fermented glutinous rice to “kill insects” in the body
Fermented glutinous rice, made from fermented glutinous rice, is a traditional dish that helps eliminate parasites in the intestines. This dish not only aids digestion but also symbolizes the “killing of insects” inside the human body, purifying the blood and preventing diseases.
3. Hanging mugwort and cactus plants at the front door
Dried mugwort, known as ngải cứu in Vietnamese, is commonly hung at the entrance during the Dragon Boat Festival. Folk belief holds that mugwort has the power to drive away evil spirits and exorcise ghosts, as well as prevent diseases. Similarly, the cactus plant, with its thorny and resilient nature, is also used to prevent evil spirits from entering the house. The best time to hang these plants is before noon, around 10:30 am.
4. Carrying herbal sachets for peace and relaxation
Herbal sachets filled with herbs such as sandalwood, realgar, lemon balm, lemongrass, and ginger are essential during the Dragon Boat Festival. Carrying these sachets not only helps repel evil spirits but also provides a pleasant and relaxing aroma. Many people also wear red strings or lucky charm bracelets to increase good fortune and ward off bad luck.
5. Taking herbal baths to expel evil spirits and prevent diseases
Bathing with boiled water infused with herbs such as star anise, grapefruit leaves, mugwort, lemon balm, and white olive leaves is a common ritual during the Dragon Boat Festival. This bath not only cleanses the body but also purifies negative energy, prevents skin diseases, and invigorates the mind.
6. Burning herbal leaves to purify the house
Burning dried mugwort or aromatic herbs inside or in front of the house is believed to drive away evil spirits and cleanse the living space. The scent of burning mugwort is not too strong and has a calming effect, helping to “exorcise ghosts and evil spirits”. However, it is important to ensure safety when performing this ritual to prevent fires.
7. Eating sour fruits to increase yang energy
Fruits such as plums, lychees, apricots, and mangoes have a mild sour taste and a cooling effect, helping to detoxify and cool down the body. Folk belief holds that consuming these fruits on the 5th day of the lunar month boosts yang energy, expels evil spirits, and provides vitamins to enhance immunity.
8. Special customs: Dyeing fingernails and tree-shaking
On the Dragon Boat Festival, many families also have the custom of dyeing children’s fingernails with red dye to ward off evil spirits. The color red symbolizes good luck and protects children from negative energies.
Additionally, the custom of “tree-shaking” was practiced by ancient people to pray for a bountiful harvest. One person would climb a tree while another would strike the tree’s trunk with a stick, “threatening” to cut it down if it did not bear fruit. The climber’s pleas served as the tree’s promise to bear fruit and bring prosperity to the family.
Taboos during the Dragon Boat Festival
1. Avoid staying up late or waking up late
The Dragon Boat Festival is considered a time when yang energy is at its peak, and waking up late may allow evil spirits to intrude, causing weakness and illness. Ancestral wisdom suggests waking up early, taking herbal baths, and consuming fermented glutinous rice in the early morning to “kill insects” within the body.
2. Avoid going to gloomy and deserted places
On this day, as evil spirits are believed to be rampant, it is best to stay away from cemeteries, hospitals, abandoned houses, and empty temples to prevent exposure to negative energies and bad luck.
3. Avoid looking into mirrors at night
Mirrors are associated with the spiritual realm. During the Dragon Boat Festival, when negative energies are strong, looking into a mirror at night may invite spirits or attract ghosts.
4. Keep children from going out alone
Ancient people believed that children were more susceptible to evil influences, so on this day, they were not allowed to play outside alone, especially at night or around noon (the hour of the horse).
5. Avoid damp and dark homes
Homes should be well-ventilated and illuminated by opening windows to let in sunlight. Burning mugwort, star anise, and other herbs helps dispel evil spirits. Damp and dark homes tend to accumulate negative energies.
6. Avoid major activities and arguments
Ancestral wisdom advises against undertaking significant endeavors on this day of “exorcism” to prevent bad luck. It is also important to maintain harmony and avoid disputes within the family.
7. Avoid cutting hair and trimming fingernails after noon (the hour of the horse)
In some regions, it is believed that cutting hair or trimming fingernails after noon (1 pm) on this day will result in loss of luck and depletion of energy.
The Dragon Boat Festival is not just a traditional agricultural holiday but also a day for humans to balance yin and yang, prevent diseases, and drive away bad luck. By preserving and practicing folk customs such as eating duck meat, consuming fermented glutinous rice, hanging mugwort, and wearing herbal sachets, later generations can appreciate and honor the profound spiritual and cultural values of their ancestors.
Reference for Divination
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