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By Karen Bong
KUCHING, June 22: Today marks the auspicious occasion of the Dragon Boat Festival, a time-honoured celebration accompanied by a fascinating custom known as “fetching noon water” for bathing or drinking.
Between the hours of 11am and 1pm, certain Chinese communities engage in this unique tradition, guided by the belief that water or 午时水 (wǔshí shuǐ) collected during this time possesses remarkable energy capable of bringing good luck, warding off evil spirits, preventing plagues, and safeguarding against diseases.
According to various online articles, the noon water is also called 龙目水 (lóng mù shuǐ) which literally means “dragon’s eye water”.
Legend has it that water obtained during this specific time period on this auspicious day, the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calender, or Double Fifth Festival, possesses extraordinary properties which when used can create a protective shield against negative influences that may seek to disrupt lives and well-being as well as prevent plagues and diseases.
The term “Wu” signifies the highest point of Yang Qi, the masculine energy in traditional Chinese philosophy. Thus, at noon on Chongwu Day, it is believed the energy reaches its peak, making the water collected during this time “extreme yang water” with a profoundly strong positive magnetic field.
This is attributed to the unique weather conditions during the festival, which bestow positive qualities upon the water.
In a Chinese historical record kept by Wen Ge of the Song Dynasty, it is mentioned: “At noon on May 5, take water from the well to bathe, and the plague will not invade for a year”.
Li Shizhen (1518-1593), a Ming botanist and pharmacologist also referenced the power of the noon water in his work, “Compendium of Materia Medica”. He was cited as saying: “Cutting bamboo during a noon rain on May 5th would yield divine water with medicinal properties and Chongwu Day (Dragon Boat Festival) water at noon is suitable for making pills for malaria, dysentery, sores, and insect poisoning.”
In ancient times, it was customary to use well water or spring water for the tradition of fetching noon water. However, as times progressed, tap water has become more commonly used. Nonetheless, to infuse it with the desired properties, it is recommended to expose it to the sun for at least thirty minutes at noon.
The applications of noon water are diverse and encompass various aspects of daily life. It can be used for drinking, to make tea or wine, face washing, and bathing by adding herbs such as calamus and wormwood to bring forth prosperity, good health, and protection. — DayakDaily
