Dragon Boat Festival is held in commemoration of Qu Yuan (340-278 BC). [File photo]

Legend

The festival is held in commemoration of Qu Yuan (340-278 BC). Qu Yuan was minister of the State of Chu and one of China's earliest poets. In the face of great pressure from the powerful Qin State during China's Warring States period, he advocated enriching the country and strengthening its military forces so as to fight against the Qin. However, he was opposed by aristocrats and later deposed and exiled. In his exiled days, he still cared much for his country and people and composed immortal poems including Li Sao (The Lament), Tian Wen (Heavenly Questions) and Jiu Ge (Nine Songs), which had far-reaching influences. In 278 BC, he heard the news that Qin troops had finally conquered Chu's capital, so he finished his last poem entitled Huai Sha (Embracing Sand) and plunged himself into the Miluo River, clasping his arms to a large stone. This happened to be the 5th day of the 5th month in the Chinese lunar calendar. After his death, the people of Chu crowded to the bank of the river to pay their respects to him. The fishermen sailed their boats up and down the river to look for his body. People threw into the water Zongzi (pyramid-shaped glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in reed or bamboo leaves) and eggs to divert possible fish or shrimp from attacking his body. An old doctor poured a jug of Realgar wine (Chinese liquor seasoned with realgar) into the water, hoping to intoxicate any fish as a means of preventing them from harming the poet's body. That's why the customs of dragon boat racing, eating Zongzi and drinking Realgar wine on this day were adopted.

 

Print E-mail

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

Add your comments...

• User Name Required
• Your Comment
• Enter the words you see:    
  Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.