Dragon Boat Festival: A Cultural Celebration with a Rich History

Origins and Legends

The Dragon Boat Festival holds a significant place in Chinese culture, with multiple origin stories surrounding its inception. Among the most prevalent legends is that of the poet and minister Qu Yuan, who lived during the Warring States period (340-278 BC).

According to the legend, Qu Yuan was exiled after falling out of favor with the king. In despair, he committed suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo River. Local villagers, concerned for his well-being, rowed out in boats to find him. However, they were unable to rescue him.

Commemorating Qu Yuan

To commemorate Qu Yuan's death, people began to hold dragon boat races on the anniversary of his suicide, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. These races were believed to symbolize the villagers' efforts to retrieve his body. Additionally, people started eating Zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) as a gesture of respect for Qu Yuan, who was said to have thrown rice dumplings into the river to ward off fish that might eat his body.

Other Origin Stories

Other origin stories attribute the festival to a dragon boat race organized by the emperor to find a dragon and ward off evil spirits. Some legends also connect it to the worship of the dragon god, which was common during the Shang Dynasty.