Duanwu Festival (Dragon Boat Festival), also known as Double Fifth Festival, is an important traditional holiday in China. Its origins and customs are rich and complex. Here's a summary of its background in English:
**Origin of Duanwu Festival:**
1. **Memorial to Qu Yuan:** The festival commemorates Qu Yuan, a renowned statesman and poet of the Warring States period (475-221 BC). He was a loyal minister who was exiled and eventually drowned himself in the Miluo River, expressing his grief over the disintegration of the Chu kingdom. According to tradition, local people raced boats out on the river to search for his body, while others threw粽子 (sticky rice dumplings) into the water to feed the fish and prevent them from harming Qu Yuan's body.
2. **Dragon Boats:** The races in the Dragon Boat Festival are to commemorate this event. Dragon boats are long, narrow boats adorned with dragon-like patterns and colors, hence the name.
3. **Other Theories:** There are also other theories, including that the festival originated to celebrate the Chinese goddess of healing, Qu Ming, or as a way to drive away evil spirits.
**Customs of Duanwu Festival:**
1. **Eating Zongzi (Sticky Rice Dumplings):** Zongzi are pyramid-shaped dumplings filled with sticky rice, nuts, fruits, or meats, all wrapped in bamboo leaves. Eating these dumplings is an important custom of the Duanwu Festival.
2. **Drinking Mugwort Wine:** Some people drink mugwort wine during the festival. It's made by brewing young leaves of the mugwort plant and is believed to ward off evil spirits and protect the drinker from disease.
3. **Wearing Periwinkle Leaves:** Wearing periwinkle leaves around one's neck is also a tradition believed to prevent evil spirits and mosquitoes from affecting the wearer.
4. **Dragon Boat Races:** These races, where teams row dragon-shaped boats as fast as they can, are the highlight of the festival. It is a symbol of the heroic efforts of the people who raced boats in the search for Qu Yuan's body.
5. **Dietary Practices:** There are dietary practices such as avoiding raw fish and not washing hair for 5 days to protect oneself from evil spirits.
The Duanwu Festival represents a blend of historical significance and cultural practices, celebrated across China with enthusiasm and tradition.
「点击下面查看原网页 领取您的八字精批报告☟☟☟☟☟☟」