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ART & LEISURE: What is the Origin of the Dragon Boat Festival? What Traditions Remain Nowadays?
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What is the Origin of the Dragon Boat Festival?
What Traditions Remain Nowadays?

By Rose Salas

BT 201906 art 03端午节是为了纪念中国著名学者,爱国诗人屈原而举行的。屈原因为被诬陷而流放国外,他跳进汨罗江结束了自己的生命,楚国人民很爱戴他,人们自发乘船去救他,没有成功。于是人民每年都在汨罗江纪念他。这就是端午节的起源。粽子、雄黄酒、赛龙舟是端午节的三大特色,承袭至今。

什么是端午节的亮点?

1.赛龙舟。各地龙舟大小,人数不一,但整体风格明亮充满活力。龙舟比赛最隆重的地方包括香港,岳阳,贵州及杭州。端午节也是家庭团聚和短途旅行的时间。

2.粽子。为庆祝端午,家人聚在一起包粽子,传统粽子使用香蕉叶包裹糯米和其他配料,是幸运的象征。

3.雄黄酒。与粽子一样,雄黄酒被视为驱邪避毒的良药。

端午节也带给我们一些启示,比如面对压力必须学会集中精力,排除干扰,坚持目标。还比如团队合作精神是成功的因素之一。

BT 201906 art 05Rice dumplings (zongzi), Realgar wine (xionghuangjiu), and Race dragon boats – three remarkable things about the Dragon Boat Festival that never go absent each year. This wonderful event, known as Duanwu Festival or Zhongxiao Festival, is celebrated in honour of the famous Chinese scholar, poet and minister, Qu Yuan. Being an exile due to false charges of conspiracy, he let out his anger by writing poems, which expressed his agony and sorrows.

BT 201906 art 06Due to his unjust fate, he decided to end his life by jumping into Miluo River. He put a heavy stone on his chest and drowned himself. The people of Chu believed that he is an honourable and noble man, so they tried to save him. They went looking for him using their boats, but unfortunately, no body of him was found. They became wretched, so they all miserably searched for him and hoped to find him. This was the origin of the Dragon Boat races during the festival. Every year, this unforgettable search of the people was reminisced and to commemorate Qu Yuan.

BT 201906 art 08Drawing with realgar on the forehead is the Dragon Boat Festival custom.

This cultural festival is still alive up to now. The legendary story of Qu Yuan is a very good example of virtue, which describes the community’s loyalty for a noble man. The celebration is based on superstition and traditional belief. Though some of the customary practices are not seen in this modern day, specially in most urban areas and big cities, the story remains to be a foundation of this noteworthy traditional holiday in China.

BT 201906 art 09Traditionally, parents fill perfume bags with perfume or herbal medicine to protect the children from illness during Dragon Boat Festival.

What are highlights seen at the festival?

The dragon boats showcase a bright décor and overall vibrant style. From 40 to 100 feet, the boat is paddled by a human in the race. The number of people who can join depends on how big the boat is and can accommodate up to 80 paddlers or rowers. Among the most ceremonious places, the following are the top spots for the race:

BT 201906 art 021. The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival: Victoria Harbour, Kowloon, Hong Kong
 

2. Yueyang International Dragon Boat Festival: Yueyang Prefecture, Hunan Province
 

3. Guizhou Dragon Canoe Festival of the Miao Ethnic People: Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province
 

4. Hangzhou Dragon Boat Festival: Xixi National Wetland Park, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province
 

Since the holiday is time for family bonding and perfect escape time for short travels, many sup porters or competitors join this event in these places mentioned above. The drum beats make the race exciting, as the racers go towards the finish line. What a beautiful heart-pounding moment!

BT 201906 art 04A resident makes colorful Zongzi, pyramid-shaped dumplings made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves, to greet the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival in Rong'an county, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

To celebrate Duanwu, families and friends gather and enjoy making zongzi. This traditionally-wrapped sticky rice with different fillings in banana leaves is formed in a triangular shape. Zongzi is a symbol of luck. Together with the Realgar wine that serves as an antidote to ward off bad or evil spirits, the celebration of this festival shows a variety of the Chinese culture’s characteristics, such as loyalty, honour, and love.

BT 201906 art 07Realgar wine is a Chinese alcoholic beverage.

The Dragon Boat Festival gives us some life’s lessons, too. FOCUS. When you are under pressure, you must learn how to focus your attention and stick to your goals. You need to paddle up and persevere! Even if the noises around you give distraction, just listen to the beat of the drums, while you push your way up to the finish line. The race serves as a reminder that you cannot succeed if you do not cooperate and synchronize with your team. Lastly, there’s always a reason to celebrate. Eat and drink with your loved ones, while you enjoy your victories!

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