The Two Plants on the Door During the Dragon Boat Festival
During the Dragon Boat Festival, people should hang Ai Ye (mugwort) and Chang Pu (calamus) on the door.To hang a string of Ai Ye and Chang Pu at the front door during the Dragon Boat Festival, red ropes should be used to tie the medicinal herbs tightly, usually three or five plants are enough.
The reason for hanging Chang Pu during the Dragon Boat Festival is to "avoid the five poisons." Chang Pu can keep snakes, insects, rats, and ants away, acting as a natural insect repellent. Therefore, people hang Chang Pu during the Dragon Boat Festival.
【The Functions of Ai Ye and Chang Pu】
1. Hanging Ai Ye and Chang Pu during the Dragon Boat Festival, since Ai Ye and Chang Pu have a unique fragrance, they can purify the air, eliminate bad odors, repel mosquitoes and flies, and have bactericidal effects.
2. The ancients believed that the Dragon Boat Festival was a "poisonous day" and an "evil day," not only with the five poisonous creatures, but also prone to negative influences. However, Chang Pu and Ai Ye have a certain "protective" function.
3. The leaves of Chang Pu contain volatile essential oils, which can open the orifices, promote circulation, strengthen bones, and eliminate stagnation. Applying it to the body can also reduce swelling, relieve itching, and ease pain.
The Meaning of Hanging an Aromatic Sachet During the Dragon Boat Festival
Hanging an aromatic sachet during the Dragon Boat Festival has the meaning of warding off evil spirits and preventing diseases, as well as bringing blessings.The aromatic sachets of the Dragon Boat Festival originated from the five-colored silk threads, generally made with the five colors "blue, red, white, black, and yellow" as the main colors, containing medicinal herbs that can repel mosquitoes and ward off evil spirits.
Like the five-colored silk threads, the aromatic sachet was originally a custom where adults gave them to children. However, due to their exquisite craftsmanship and pleasant fragrance, many adults also carry them, especially young girls.
The sachet contains cinnabar, realgar, and fragrant medicine, wrapped in silk cloth, emitting a fragrant aroma. It is then tied with five-colored silk threads into a cord, forming various shapes, and strung together, appearing colorful and charming. The traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients used in the sachet emit a natural fragrance. Moreover, modern medical research has also proven that these medicinal materials have a fragrant smell because they contain a large amount of volatile oil, which has antibacterial and antiviral effects. The incense in traditional Dragon Boat Festival sachets can prevent colds, hand, foot, and mouth disease, and have some effect in repelling mosquitoes and pests.
