In Chinese, the name for Dragon Boat Festival is 端午节 [duān wǔ jié], which is not a literal translation of Dragon Boat Festival, but rather is an ancient phrase that relates to the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere. The festival is always celebrated on 五月初五 [wǔ yuè chū wǔ], the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, which this year falls on June 2.
There are many stories explaining the origins for the Dragon Boat Festival. The best known one is about the minister and famed poet 屈原 [Qū Yuán]. He was from 楚国 Chú Guó (Chu State) and lived during the Warring States Period. In 278 BC, when another state, 秦国 [Qín Guó], captured the Chú Guó capital city, Ying, Qū , Yuán despaired and committed suicide by throwing himself into the Miluo River (汨罗江 [mì luó jiān]) on 五月初五 [wǔ yuè chū wǔ]. After his death, people from Chu rushed out in their boats to retrieve his body, which is the origin of the Dragon Boat Races that occur during this festival. Also, the people threw 饭团 [fàn tuán] (rice shaped into pyramids) into the river so the fish wouldn’t eat Qū Yuán’s body. These were later wrapped in bamboo leaves and named 粽子 ［zòng zi ］and are now a traditional food during this festival.
The name Dragon Boat Festival was given to the festival by 19th-century Europeans who didn’t understand the significance of the day. Dragon Boat races or races with 龙船 [lóng chuán] (dragon boats) are still held on this day. People also drink 雄黄酒 [xióng huáng jiǔ] (realgar wine) on this day. Due to the fact that realgar is a toxic substance, also used as a pesticide, particularly against mosquitoes, this custom has diminished in recent past. Another tradition is wearing perfume medicine bags 戴香包 [dài xiāng bāo].
端午节快乐 ！ 【duān wǔ jié kuài lè】＝ Happy Dragon Boat Festival
