The Origin and Qu Yuan Legend of Zongzi in English
The粽子, a traditional Chinese food, has a rich history and a deep cultural significance. It is a food that is typically consumed during the Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, which is celebrated annually on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar.
**Origin:**
The origin of Zongzi can be traced back to the Warring States period (475-221 BC) in ancient China. The most popular legend about the origins of Zongzi is the story of Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet and statesman who lived during this time.
**The Qu Yuan Legend:**
Qu Yuan was a nobleman in the state of Chu, one of the seven powerful states of the Warring States period. He was deeply concerned about the corruption and decline of his country and attempted to reform its governance. However, he was opposed by powerful enemies who succeeded in banishing him from the court.
After being exiled, Qu Yuan continued to write poems expressing his sorrow and his longing for his homeland. One day, in 278 BC, when Qu Yuan was in his late fifties, he heard news that the state of Chu had fallen to the Qin. Overwhelmed with despair, he jumped into the Miluo River to end his life.
The local people were in deep sorrow and wanted to save him. They raced out in boats and threw rice dumplings into the river to prevent fish from eating Qu Yuan's body. The people also hit drums and beat their gongs to scare away the fish.
To keep the fish away forever, they wrapped the rice dumplings in bamboo leaves and called them "zongzi," which literally means "wrapped dumplings." This became a way to honor Qu Yuan and the spirit of patriotism he represented.
Today, the Dragon Boat Festival is a time when people throughout China and other East Asian countries celebrate the memory of Qu Yuan. They eat Zongzi, participate in dragon boat races, and honor Qu Yuan's sacrifice and wisdom.
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