The custom of splashing water on the sea during the Dragon Boat Festival in Hanjiang, Shishi
The Dragon Boat Festival on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, commonly known as the "May Festival", is one of the oldest traditional festivals of the Chinese nation. The Dragon Boat Festival in Hanjiang, Shishi City, Fujian Province, has a unique style of boat racing and water splashing. In 2011, the custom of water splashing at sea during the Dragon Boat Festival in Hanjiang, Shishi was listed in the third batch of national intangible cultural heritage. From 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival (the time from high tide to low tide), on the sea surface of the ancient ferry crossing of Hanjiang, people from both places dressed in festive costumes, and dozens of small boats from all directions came to the ancient ferry crossing of Hanjiang for racing and shuttling. People filled various scoops, spoons, and buckets with sea water and chased and splashed each other. People regarded this water as "holy water rain of love", which can drive away evil spirits and disasters and pray for peace at sea, so it is known as a great baptism for people and boats. The Sea Water Splashing Festival is not only a civilized and healthy group folk activity spontaneously participated by the whole people, but also a national fitness sport. At the same time, this special festival is used to witness and commemorate the "Historical Deer Ferry History" between Fujian and Taiwan. Since then, this folk custom of "Water Splashing in the Straits" has been passed down from generation to generation. (No pictures yet, please provide them.) (No pictures yet, please provide them.)