1、Zongzi (rice dumplings)
The Dragon Boat Festival is also known as the Zongzi Festival, so zongzi is generally chosen as a gift. However, zongzi is not easy to digest, and too much can be a burden, so this should be noted.
2、Green bean cake
It is customary to give green bean cakes during the Dragon Boat Festival, because the character "gao" (cake) sounds like "gao" (high), symbolizing prosperity. After the son-in-law leaves, the mother-in-law will also return some pastries, symbolizing the good omen of "rising high and going high".
3、Salted duck egg
Salted duck eggs are a must when giving gifts during the Dragon Boat Festival, as they are called "sending the Dragon Boat" (duanyang). Moreover, it is traditional for juniors to give them to seniors as a sign of respect and gratitude.
4、White goose
In the past, white geese were considered a valuable item, so it was common for sons-in-law to give geese during the Dragon Boat Festival, and this custom has been passed down to this day. The goose itself is not the main point; the key is the intention and good omens.
What do sons-in-law give in Wuxi for the Dragon Boat Festival?
In the customs of Wuxi, sons-in-law should give a "May goose" to their father-in-law and mother-in-law.
During the Dragon Boat Festival, "May goose" is usually about 10 catties, with tender meat, which is the most delicious time to eat. In this sense, giving a goose to the father-in-law and mother-in-law is an expression of hope that they will remain healthy and live long. In the local customs of Wuxi, the "Dragon Boat lunch" (the term "dayan" is a Wu dialect word meaning lunch) hosted by the father-in-law and mother-in-law for their son-in-law is also essential. This midday meal is actually a banquet held by the parents-in-law as a thank-you after the son-in-law has given a generous gift.
In Wuxi, people eat zongzi and the "Five Yellows" during the Dragon Boat Festival.
① Eating Zongzi
Zongzi is indispensable during the Dragon Boat Festival in Wuxi. Zongzi varies between sweet and salty. Northern zongzi is mainly sweet with red dates, while southern zongzi has more diverse fillings such as red bean paste, fresh meat, ham, salted egg yolk, etc. Salty zongzi is the main type. Wuxi people prefer small foot zongzi and triangular zongzi. Every year before the Dragon Boat Festival, grandmothers and mothers in Wuxi are busy preparing, gathering around a few small chairs in the hall, surrounded by green bamboo leaves and sticky rice. By the evening, the aroma of zongzi fills the air.
② Eating the Five Yellows
The Five Yellows refer to yellow eel, yellow croaker, cucumber, salted egg yolk, and yellow wine. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the fifth day of the fifth lunar month is the peak of yang energy in the year, and eating the Five Yellows is a way to take advantage of the seasonal power to boost energy. May is called the "Five Yellows Month" in Hangzhou, named after the five foods with the sound "yellow" that appear during this time. Drinking realgar wine also has its own traditions. Realgar contains arsenic sulfide, and arsenic is the main component used to extract arsenic trioxide (poison). Realgar has a certain toxicity, which can repel venomous insects, but it can also harm humans.
