When to pick the five colored threads during the Dragon Boat Festival?
The Dragon Boat Festival is one of the traditional Chinese festivals with rich and diverse customs. Among them, wearing five-colored threads is a traditional custom in many areas. The five-colored thread not only symbolizes good luck, but is also believed to have the effect of expelling evil spirits and avoiding disasters. So, when will the five-colored thread be picked? How to put it on and take it off correctly? This article will give you detailed answers based on the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days.
1. The origin and meaning of the five-color thread

Five-color thread, also known as "five-color rope", is woven from silk threads of five colors: blue, white, red, black, and yellow, symbolizing the balance and harmony of the five elements (wood, metal, fire, water, and earth). The ancients believed that wearing five-colored thread can ward off evil spirits, avoid disasters, and bless peace. This custom is especially popular during the Dragon Boat Festival, when many parents tie five-colored threads for their children to pray for health and good luck.
2. Wearing time of five-color thread
According to traditional customs, the five-colored thread is usually worn on the morning of the Dragon Boat Festival (the fifth day of the fifth lunar month). The exact time varies by region, but it is generally accepted that the best results are worn before sunrise. The following are the wearing time statistics that netizens have hotly discussed in the past 10 days:
| area | Wearing time | Hot discussions |
|---|---|---|
| northern region | Dragon Boat Festival morning | Most parents choose to tie their children before sunrise |
| southern region | The night before the Dragon Boat Festival | In some areas, it is customary to prepare in advance |
| Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas | Dragon Boat Festival noon | In a few areas, it is believed that Yang Qi is strongest at noon |
3. Time to remove five colored threads
There are many folk opinions on the time for removal of the five-color thread. The following are the methods most discussed by netizens in the past 10 days:
| removal time | customary basis | Popular areas |
|---|---|---|
| The first rain after the Dragon Boat Festival | Rain washes away bad luck, and the five-colored threads flow away with the water | North China, Northeast China |
| Seven days after the Dragon Boat Festival | Symbolizing the perfection of "Qiqi" | Central China, South China |
| The sixth day of the sixth lunar month | "Liu Liu Dashun" means good luck | Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian |
4. The correct way to remove the five-color thread
When removing the five-color thread, you need to pay attention to the following matters:
1.Do not discard at will: Traditionally, the five-colored thread is believed to have spirituality and should be properly disposed of after removal, such as hanging on a branch or put into a river, symbolizing "sending away bad luck".
2.avoid cutting: Some areas believe that cutting the five-color thread will destroy its meaning, and it is recommended to untie it directly.
3.Children need special attention when wearing it: Parents should help their children remove it to avoid entanglement or accidental swallowing.
5. Hot discussion among netizens: The modern significance of the five-color thread
In the past 10 days, the discussion about the five-color thread has not only been limited to traditional customs, but also extended to modern life:
1.Fashion matching: Many young people wear five-color threads as bracelets, which not only retains tradition but also adds a sense of fashion.
2.cultural heritage: Netizens called for greater popularization of traditional customs, especially among the younger generation.
3.environmental issues: Some netizens suggested using degradable materials to make five-color threads to reduce the impact on the environment.
6. Summary
As an important custom of the Dragon Boat Festival, the five-colored thread carries profound cultural connotations. Whether it is worn or removed, tradition should be respected while incorporating the needs of modern life. I hope this article can help you better understand this custom and have a meaningful Dragon Boat Festival!
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