Dragon Boat Festival
The Story of Dragon Boat Festival
Chinese Dragon Boat Festival is one of the most ancient festivals, not only in China but also throughout the world, with a history of more than 2000 years. Almost every Chinese know somestories about Dragon Boat Festival, which shows that this traditional festival had firmly rooted in people’s mind.There are numerous versions of the festival’s origin, among which three legends are the most widely circulated.
Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated in memory of Qu Yuan, a famous patriotic poet.
This is the best known legend in China. According to history record, Qu Yuan（屈原） was an official of the Chu State. Being the most talented poet of his time, Qu Yuan left us “Lisao, Suffering Throes” ,the most beautiful poem of all time. He dedicated his whole life in helping the king to build his motherland stronger, but the king believed in slanders and punish Qu Yuan severely.
On 278 BC, the Chu State was invaded by another state, which was excruciating to Qu Yuan. Though heartbroken to see his country being intruded, Qu Yuan never abandoned his faith and country. On May 5th(in Chinese lunar calendar), after writing down his last poem, Qu Yuan drowned himself in Miluo River(a branch of Yangtze River) as a gesture of dying along with his motherland. After his tragic death, the Chu State was shadowed with grief. The fishmen rowed along the river to find his body, while one of them took out some cooked rice ball, throwing them into the water. He explained that as long as the fish were fed, they would not bite Mr. Qu’s body. People in the area all followed this example. Gradually rowing develped into dragon boat racing and rice balls became tzung tzu(or zongzi,glutinous rice wrapped in a pyramid shape using bamboo or reed leaves) and passed down from generation to generation as a Chinese tradition.
愿你事业像龙舟一样快进；家庭像红枣一样甜蜜；安康像糯米一样粘上就不掉！端午节安康。
Wishing you a career like a dragon boat — rapidly progressing, a family as sweet as red dates, and health that sticks to you like glutinous rice and doesn’t fall off! Have a safe and sound Dragon Boat Festival.
