**Title: Dragon Boat Festival - Origins, Customs, and Legends**
**Introduction:**
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu, is an ancient and important traditional holiday celebrated in China, with a history of over 2,000 years. This handout aims to explore the origins, customs, and legends of the Dragon Boat Festival.
**Origins:**
The Dragon Boat Festival has its origins in the 5th century BC during the Warring States period. According to tradition, it commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a nobleman and statesman who committed *** by drowning himself in the Miluo River in protest against the corrupt government. The people of the time paddled out in dragon boats to save him, and henceforth, the festival is dedicated to his memory.
**Customs:**
1. **Dragon Boat Races**: One of the most significant activities during the Dragon Boat Festival is dragon boat racing. Dragon-shaped boats are paddled by a team of rowers, accompanied by drummers, who coordinate the efforts to race across the river. These races are symbolic of the efforts to save Qu Yuan.
2. **Zongzi**: Another popular tradition is eating zongzi, which are sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves. It is believed that these dumplings are made in the shape of rice plants, representing respect for Qu Yuan's love for his country and people.
3. **Wearing Periwinkle**: It is a common practice to wear periwinkle during the festival, as its blue color symbolizes loyalty and respect. It is also said that periwinkle can ward off evil spirits and prevent the spread of illness.
4. **Dragon Boat Festival Soup**: In some areas, people have the custom of eating Dragon Boat Festival soup, a nutritious stew believed to protect against the summer heat and prevent illness.
**Legends:**
1. **Qu Yuan's Death**: As mentioned earlier, the most well-known legend revolves around Qu Yuan, a statesman who was falsely accused of betrayal. Devastated by the injustice, he drowned himself in the Miluo River, where he is said to have written many famous poems.
2. **The Miraculous Fisherman**: Another legend involves a miraculous fisherman who is believed to have found Qu Yuan's body floating in the river. The villagers rushed to the riverbank to retrieve him, and it was only when they were nearly too late that the fisherman, who was in a fisherman's hat and robe, emerged and retrieved the body.
3. **Sitting Dragon and Sleeping Dragon**: In some regions, there are legends about the Dragon Boat Festival being linked to the gods of the sea. These legends include tales of the sitting dragon (representing a celestial dragon who visited the festival) and the sleeping dragon (representing the river dragon who rests during the festival).
**Conclusion:**
The Dragon Boat Festival is a significant holiday in Chinese culture, marked by rich history, customs, and legends. Through these customs and stories, we honor the spirit of bravery and loyalty of Qu Yuan, while enjoying the festive atmosphere that comes with this ancient celebration.
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