Li Cuilin makes a scented sachet at her studio. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

Wearing scented sachets is a traditional custom during the Dragon Boat Festival and 75-year-old Li Cuilin, an inheritor of scented sachet making in Rugao, has started making them in preparation for the upcoming holiday.

Among the scented sachets hanging on the walls of Li's studio, the tiger-shaped ones with the Chinese character "王" ("king") on the forehead are the most eye-catching.

Tiger-shaped scented sachets made by Li are on display. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

Li said that there has been a tradition in China since ancient times of writing the character "王" on the forehead of children with realgar wine to fend off evil spirits.

She added that she decided to make the tiger-shaped sachet as this year is the Year of the Tiger.

The sachets made by Li have a pleasant aroma as they are filled with spices made from 15 traditional Chinese medicinal materials, including acorus calamus, huoxiang (agastache rugosus), and mint.

Scented sachets hang on the walls of Li's studio. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

According to Li, both the spice formula and sachet-making techniques have a history of more than 100 years.

The craftswoman said that she is willing to teach people how to make sachets for free in order to pass down the ancient craft.

Chinese people also hold dragon boat races, eat zongzi, drink realgar wine, hangmugwort and calamus, and tie five-color silk threads for children during the festival.