Tuan Wu
Tuan Wu (Double Fifth)
Charms made from chunks of incense are used to ward off the so-called "five poisonous things"—which vary in different parts of China depending upon the climate and the local animal life. In Taiwan, for example, the five poisonous things are wall-lizards, toads, centipedes, spiders, and snakes. The charms are made in the shape of these harmful creatures, and sometimes small cakes resembling the creatures are eaten on this day.
Another custom associated with the Double Fifth is the placing of mugwort plants in the doorposts of each house. These branches are supposed to frighten evil spirits away and preserve those living in the house from summer diseases. Those who take a bath at noon on the fifth day of the fifth month are believed to be immune from illness for one year.
See also Dragon Boat Festival
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BkFest-1937, p. 79
BkHolWrld-1986, Jun 18
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FolkAmerHol-1999, p. 221
FolkWrldHol-1999, p. 369