Last weekend the annual Dragon Boat Festival, Duān wǔ jié 端午节 , was celebrated across numerous Chinese speaking countries and in Chinatowns all over the world. Duān wǔ jié is a traditional Chinese holiday which falls on the 5th day of the 5th month of the Chinese lunar calendar and has been celebrated annually for over 2,000 years.
The most famous legendary tale behind this festival dates back to 278 B.C. during the time of Qū Yuán 屈原, one of China’s greatest poets, who committed suicide by drowning himself in a river. Qū Yuán was not only a poet but also a minister in the State of Chu during the Warring States Period. After Qū Yuán opposed an alliance with the Qin kingdom, he was exiled by the king. Years later when the State of Qin captured the State of Chu, Qū Yuán committed suicide to prove his loyalty and love for his state.
When the local people heard about Qū Yuán’s drowning, they immediately rushed down to the river, quickly rowing their boats in the hope that they might save his body from being eaten by fish or other creatures. In an effort to salvage his body, they offered the river creatures, zòng zi 粽子rice wrapped in bamboo leaves. The story of the numerous boats rushing down and the people casting zòng zi into the river provide the basis of the holiday’s traditions today. These days during Duān wǔ jié, people race dragon-style row boats, and thankfully, they eat the zòng zi themselves.