Traditional Chinese herbal sachets were gaining up popularity as stylish accessories in northwest China's Gansu Province as the Dragon Boat Festival approached, which falls on Saturday this year.
The sachets, traditionally hung in homes during the early summer festival to ward off pests and disease in extending wishes for health and luck, are now attracting younger buyers looking to connect with cultural heritage.
At a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) hospital in Lanzhou, pharmacists had transformed the ancient pest-repelling charms into 26 fashionable designs featuring the 12 zodiac animals on the traditional calendar, mythical beasts and pyramid-shaped Zongzi rice dumplings for the Dragon Boat Festival -- all filled with aromatic herbs like sweet flag, patchouli and eupatorium.
"I've also bought one for my parents for hanging at home, to add a bit of festive atmosphere," said Tian Bo, a customer.
Following the trend, the hospital had launched live-streaming tutorials demonstrating how to make and wear the sachets -- a digital approach that introduced the tradition to new audiences.
Traditional herbal sachets catch on ahead of Dragon Boat Festival
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
