The Dragon Boat Festival (aka Duanwu
Festival) is believed to be originated in ancient China. There are a number of
theories about its origins. There are also a number folk traditions, beliefs
and explanatory myths connected to the observance. Today, the best, most widely
accepted version is that the Duanwu festival originated in memory of the
patriotic poet Qu Yuan (340-278 BC) who lived in the Chu State during the
Warring States Period (475-221 BC).
Quyuan---one of the greated poet in China who loved his country deeply!
The best-known traditional story holds that
the festival commemorates the death by suicide of poet Qu Yuan, a Confucius
scholar and minister of the ancient Chu state during the Warring States period.
Qu Yuan, a descendant of the Chu royal family, served in high offices in his
state. He wrote influential Chinese literary works like "Li Sao",
including poetry. He is commonly referred to as a a great patriotic
"poet" and a "statesperson". works in literature. However,
he is more properly considered as a ministerial Confucius scholar.
Duanwu Festival ChinaQu Yuan always put
forward policies and encouraged the king of Chu to make his state stronger
independently. Qu Yuan' measures were carried out and his state become thriving
and strong. Unfortunately, the good time did't last long. He was entrapped by
evil speech and dismissed by the king because of his action against alliance
between Chu state and Qin State. During his exile, Qu Yuan wrote a great deal
of famous literary works to express deep worry about his state. Qu Yuan's worry
was proved to be right. Twenty-eight years later, Qin conquered the Chu
capital. In despair at not being able to halt the decline the state, he drowned
himself in the Miluo Rover on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.
Heard Qu Yuan's suicide, the local people
who admired his patriotic action rowed their boats out onto the river to search
for his corpse. At the same time, some people threw food into the water to
prevent Qu Yuan's corpse from being eaten by prawns, fish and crabs.
Despite the modern popularity of the Qu
Yuan origin theory, in the former territory of the state of Wu the festival
commemorated Wu Zixu (526 BC - 484 BC). Like Qu Yuan, Wu Zixu was a loyal
advisor whose advice was ignored by the king to the detriment of the kingdom.
Wu Zixu was forced to commit suicide by the king Fuchai, with his body thrown into
the river on the fifth day of the fifth month. After his death, Wu Zixu was
revered as a river god. The local people used the ways (similar to that people
used for Qu Yuan) as sacrifice ritual to worship the river god. In places such
as Suzhou, in Jiangsu province, Wu Zixu is remembered during the Dragon Boat
Festival to this day.
It is said the the food the people threw
into the river water is the origin of Zongzi (Chinese rice dumplings). It is
said to be the origin of dragon boat racing that the local people were paddling
out on boats onto the the local river. that is what the Chu people used their
ways to offer mourning to Quyuan after his death. The date and the ways were
developed into a custom, troditiona and festival now.
Yammy!! Zonzi!!!
Modern researchers have theorized that the commemoration of Qu Yuan or Wu Zixu were superimposed onto an existing holiday tradition, but has subsequently overtaken the original significance. More people agree that traditional rituals of the Duanwu Festival represent offerings to the Gods and worship of dragon king and mostly relate to avoiding diseases and luck blessings in Chinese culture.
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