2. WHAT IS THE DRAGON BOATWHAT IS THE DRAGON BOAT
FESTIVAL ?FESTIVAL ?
DUANWUDUANWU FESTIVALFESTIVAL, also known as , also known as Dragon Boat FestivalDragon Boat Festival and the and the DoubleDouble
FifthFifth, is a traditional and statutory holiday originating in China and associated, is a traditional and statutory holiday originating in China and associated
with a number of East Asian and Southeast Asian societies. In Mandarin, it iswith a number of East Asian and Southeast Asian societies. In Mandarin, it is
known as known as Duānwǔ JiéDuānwǔ Jié; in Hong Kong and Macau, by the Cantonese; in Hong Kong and Macau, by the Cantonese
name name Tuen Ng FestivalTuen Ng Festival ; in Hokkien-speaking areas, by the names ; in Hokkien-speaking areas, by the names Gō-͘Gō-͘
go̍eh-chehgo̍eh-cheh ( ( 五月節五月節 ). In 2008, it was recognised as a public holiday). In 2008, it was recognised as a public holiday
in mainland China for the first time since the 1940s. The festival has also longin mainland China for the first time since the 1940s. The festival has also long
been celebrated in Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. Equivalent and relatedbeen celebrated in Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. Equivalent and related
festivals in Asia include the Kodomo no hi in Japan, Dano in Korea, and Tếtfestivals in Asia include the Kodomo no hi in Japan, Dano in Korea, and Tết
Đoan Ngọ in Vietnam.Đoan Ngọ in Vietnam.
The festival occurs on the 5th day of the 5th month of the Chinese lunar calendar.The festival occurs on the 5th day of the 5th month of the Chinese lunar calendar.
This is the source of the alternative name of Double Fifth. The date varies fromThis is the source of the alternative name of Double Fifth. The date varies from
year to year on the Gregorian calendar. In 2012, this fell on June 23 and in 2013year to year on the Gregorian calendar. In 2012, this fell on June 23 and in 2013
on June 12. The focus of the celebrations includes eating riceon June 12. The focus of the celebrations includes eating rice
dumplings dumplings zongzizongzi, drinking realgar wine xionghuangjiu (, drinking realgar wine xionghuangjiu ( 雄 酒黃雄 酒黃 ), and), and
racing dragon boats.racing dragon boats.
The sun is considered to be at its strongest around the time of summer solsticeThe sun is considered to be at its strongest around the time of summer solstice
("mid-summer" in traditional East Asia, but "beginning" of summer elsewhere)("mid-summer" in traditional East Asia, but "beginning" of summer elsewhere)
when the daylight in the northern hemisphere is the longest. The sun, likewhen the daylight in the northern hemisphere is the longest. The sun, like
the Chinese dragon, traditionally represents masculine energy, whereas thethe Chinese dragon, traditionally represents masculine energy, whereas the
moon, like the phoenix, traditionally represents feminine energy. The summermoon, like the phoenix, traditionally represents feminine energy. The summer
solstice is considered the peak annual moment of male energy while the wintersolstice is considered the peak annual moment of male energy while the winter
solstice, the longest night of the year, represents the peak annual moment ofsolstice, the longest night of the year, represents the peak annual moment of
feminine energy. The masculine image of the dragon is thus naturallyfeminine energy. The masculine image of the dragon is thus naturally
associated.associated.
3. THE ORIGINTHE ORIGIN
The Duanwu Festival is believed to haveThe Duanwu Festival is believed to have
originated in ancient China. A number oforiginated in ancient China. A number of
theories exist about its origins as atheories exist about its origins as a
number of folk traditions and explanatorynumber of folk traditions and explanatory
myths are connected to its observance.myths are connected to its observance.
Today the best known of these relates toToday the best known of these relates to
the suicide in 278 BCE of Qu Yuan, poetthe suicide in 278 BCE of Qu Yuan, poet
and statesman of the Chu kingdom duringand statesman of the Chu kingdom during
the Warring States period.the Warring States period.
4. THE STORY OF QU YUANTHE STORY OF QU YUAN
The best-known traditional story holds that the festival commemorates theThe best-known traditional story holds that the festival commemorates the
death of poet Qu Yuan (c. 340–278 BCE) of the ancient state of Chu duringdeath of poet Qu Yuan (c. 340–278 BCE) of the ancient state of Chu during
the Warring States Period of the Zhou Dynasty. A descendant of the Chuthe Warring States Period of the Zhou Dynasty. A descendant of the Chu
royal house, Qu served in high offices. However, when the king decided toroyal house, Qu served in high offices. However, when the king decided to
ally with the increasingly powerful state of Qin, Qu was banished forally with the increasingly powerful state of Qin, Qu was banished for
opposing the alliance; he was accused of treason. During his exile, Qu Yuanopposing the alliance; he was accused of treason. During his exile, Qu Yuan
wrote a great deal of poetry, for which he is now remembered. Twenty-eightwrote a great deal of poetry, for which he is now remembered. Twenty-eight
years later, Qin captured Ying, the capital of Chu. In despair, Qu Yuanyears later, Qin captured Ying, the capital of Chu. In despair, Qu Yuan
committed suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo River on the fifth day ofcommitted suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo River on the fifth day of
the fifth lunar month.the fifth lunar month.
It is said that the local people, who admired him, dropped sticky hi trianglesIt is said that the local people, who admired him, dropped sticky hi triangles
wrapped in bamboo leaves into the river to feed the fish. The rice waswrapped in bamboo leaves into the river to feed the fish. The rice was
wrapped so that fish would not eat Qu Yuan's body and eat the ricewrapped so that fish would not eat Qu Yuan's body and eat the rice
instead. This is said to be the origin of instead. This is said to be the origin of zongzizongzi. The local people were also. The local people were also
said to have paddled out on boats, either to scare the fish away or tosaid to have paddled out on boats, either to scare the fish away or to
retrieve his body. This is said to be the origin of dragon boat racing.retrieve his body. This is said to be the origin of dragon boat racing.
