Time of the Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival was a time for the ruler and ministers to connect on an emotional level. The emperor would give his ministers medicinal tablets, fragrant sachets and beads, embroidered fans, gauze cloth, and other objects deemed necessary for coping with the summer heat. Various places in the country would also pay homage to the emperor by offering local products as tribute. In addition to conveying blessings to celebrate the festival, these gifts of the occasion interweave a joyous scene of friendship among the upper and lower classes during the Dragon Boat Festival in the Qing dynasty as seen in the festive activities and offerings on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.

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  Memorial to give thanks for the gracious gift of items

  such as colored thread, an amulet, and a fragrant pouch
  Dated to the equivalent of June 26, 1723
  Presented by He Tianpei, Qing dynasty (1644-1911)

  During the Dragon Boat Festival, items were made using green, white, red, black, and yellow threads corresponding to the five directions and five elements to ward off evil spirits and prevent epidemics. Pills were specially made by the Qing court as summer heat prevention medicine. The medicine was ground into powder then mixed with suitable binders to form specific shapes. These pills had the effects of preventing heatstroke, warding off evil, promoting blood circulation, reducing swelling, clearing heat, and calming the mind. They could be used both externally and internally.

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  Memorial to give thanks for such imperial gifts

  as a silk fan, fragrant pouch, medicine, and a handkerchief
  Dated to the equivalent of August 3, 1789
  Presented by Cai Xin (1707-1799), Qing dynasty

  During the hot summer, Qing dynasty emperors often gave cool fabrics such as thin silk, gauze, and kohemp clothes as gifts during the Dragon Boat Festival. Fans, essential items for summer, were also commonly bestowed. Fans not only provided relief from the heat but also symbolized integrity, making them suitable gifts for the occasion.