Every year around Dragon Boat Festival, you see bunches of mugwort hung by doorways. But have you ever noticed they're always hung upside down?
I've been hanging mugwort for years without thinking about it β it's just what you do. But this year I finally got curious and did some digging.
The origin
Hanging mugwort during Dragon Boat Festival is an ancient Chinese tradition. The festival falls during the fifth lunar month, which in the traditional calendar is considered a time when the "five poisonous creatures" (scorpions, snakes, centipedes, geckos, and toads) become active. The humid summer weather was also believed to breed disease and evil influences.
Mugwort (Artemisia argyi) has a strong aromatic scent that naturally repels insects. Ancient Chinese people observed this and began hanging it at their doorways during the festival season to ward off pests and "evil qi."
Why upside down?
There are a few explanations, all of them interesting:
- The scent is stronger. When mugwort is hung upside down, the essential oils in the leaves concentrate toward the tips, releasing a stronger aroma that better repels insects.
- It stays fresh longer. Hanging the roots or stems upward prevents moisture from pooling at the base, reducing rot and keeping the bunch green longer.
- Symbolism. In Chinese culture, the word for "arrive" (ε°, dΓ o) is associated with things coming downward. Hanging mugwort upside down symbolizes that blessings and protection are "descending" upon the household.
- It's just practical. Mugwort dries flat the other way; hanging it upside down helps maintain its shape and visual appeal.
Does it actually work?
Modern research has confirmed that mugwort does contain compounds with antibacterial and insect-repellent properties. So while we now understand it through science, the ancient people got it right through observation alone.
This year, I'm hanging my mugwort a little more thoughtfully. And definitely upside down.