Duanwu is one of the largest traditional festivals in China. "Duan" means the same as "Chu, early," so Duanwu is also called Chuwu , "the fifth day". The "five" can be used the same as "Wu". Calculated according to the twelve Earthly Branches (used in combination with the Heavenly Stems to designate years, months, days and hours), May is the month of Wu.Since the hour of "Wu" is also "the hour of sun (Yang)," Duanwu is also alled "Duanyang".The festival begins on the fifth day of May, thus it is called "double five (Chong Wu)."

　　The Dragon Boat Festival is also know as Xia Jie (Summer Festival), Yu Lan Jie (Festival of Orchid Bath), Nu Er Jie (Festival of Girls), Tian Zhong Jie (Festival of Mid Day), Di La, and Shi Ren Jie (Festival of Poet). The multitude of names for Dragon Boat Festival shows the variety of origins for the festival. At least four origins to date have been recorded. For example, the festival was celebrated to commemorate Qu Yuan, a great poet in ancient China; people in Wu and Yue kingdoms offered totem sacrifices during the festival; the festival originated from the Summer Solstice festival; and the festival was first celebrated to ward off evil creatures during a period of natural disasters and pestilence.

　　For certain, the custom of warding off evil creatures existed well before the time of Qu Yuan. It is this day when the patriotic poet threw himself in the river; therefore, the festival has been used to commemorate Qu Yuan for the last six dynasties.