How much do you know about the Dragon Boat Festival?
Its Chinese name is 端午节 (Duānwǔ Jié), or Double Fifth Festival, and this week we look at the story behind it.
Dragon Boat Festival 2023: The Date
June 22, Thursday
Dragon Boat Festival 2023
The Dragon Boat Festival celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th month of the Lunar calendar. In 2023, it falls on June 22, Thursday.
Origins: Double Fifth Festival
In the beginning, the 5th day of the 5th lunar month was considered unlucky: it was the day when venomous animals such as snakes and scorpions started to appear. So people celebrated this day trying to avoid bad luck.
New Story: Qu Yuan
Qū Yuán
Qu Yuan
Chǔguó
State of Chu
Chǔwáng
King of Chu
shīwàng
to be disappointed; to lose hope
Qínguó
State of Qin
Qínwáng
King of Qin
The King of Chu went to the State of Qin, and wasn’t allowed to return to Chu. He regretted sending Qu Yuan away, and 3 years later, he died in the State of Qin.
Later, the State of Chu was invaded by the State of Qin. After Qu Yuan learned the news, he knew that his state was about to end very soon. He was so disappointed that he jumped into the Miluo River.
Mìluó jiāng
the Miluo river
huá chuán
to row a boat
Since that time, every year on the 5th day of the 5th Lunar month, people eat dumplings and race on dragon boats. Eventually this day became a traditional festival in China.
Traditional Food: Zongzi, or Sticky rice Dumplings
zòngzi
sticky rice dumplings
Celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival Today
Today, people celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival by making and eating the sticky rice dumplings, and having an official day off together with their family and friends.
You can wish your Chinese friends and colleagues a happy Dragon Boat Festival by saying:
Duānwǔ Jié ānkāng!
Happy Dragon Boat Festival! 🐲
