Dragon Boat Festival

Dragon Boat Festival, also called Duanwu Festival (Solar Maximus Festival might be a more accurate literal translation of 'Duanwu' in English), Duanyang Festival, May Festival, Summer Fesitival, Poet Festival, Flagleaf Festival, is one of the oldest Chinese traditions all over the coutry.

Why is Dragon Boat Festival called Duanwu or Duanyang Festival in China. Dragon Boat Festival or Duanwu Festival occurs on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (which falls between the last 10-day period of May and the first 10-day period of June). It is reckoned in accordance with Chinese lunar calendar based on months consisting of 29 or 30 days, whereas the actual summer solstice is determined according to Gregorian calendar reckoning (where months have 30, 31, 28 or, in leap years, 29 days). In traditional China, the sun (Yang) is considered to be the strongest around the time of summer solstice ("mid-summer", but "beginning" of summer elsewhere) when the daytime is the longest in the northern hemisphere. Yang (sun), like dragon in Chinese myth, is considered to be male; whereas Yin or yue (moon), like feng huang (mythical Chinese phoenix bird), is considered to be female. Summer solstice is male whereas winter solstice (longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere) is female. So it is natural to venerate the male dragon at the time that the sun is at its maximal strength, that is, at duan wu. the Double Fifth was traditionally referred to as "boys day", although this was changed to "children's day" around 50 years ago. The Yin-Yang (shadow-light) theory, symbolized by very familiar Taiji Diagram (Diagram of the Supreme Ultimate), reflects the traditional Chinese world view of the duality of forces. The similar view was widely applied to many fields of Chinese social life. For example, it is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory. The use of herbs and plants, realgar wine, mugwort, etc. to ward off evils during the height of the summer heat around the time of dragon boat races and duan wu reflects TCM concepts as well, which are founded on Daoist traditions of "alchemy". The dates for current and next year are 8 June 2008 and 28 May 2009. The Origins, History and Romance of Dragon Boat Festival The Duanwu Festival is believed to be originated in ancient China. There are a number of theories about its origins. There are also a number folk traditions, beliefs and explanatory myths connected to the observance. Today, the best, most widely accepted version is that the Duanwu festival originated in memory of the patriotic poet Qu Yuan (340-278 BC) who lived in the Chu State during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC). Qu Yuan Qu Yuan - The best-known traditional story holds that the festival commemorates the death by suicide of poet Qu Yuan, a Confucius scholar and minister of the ancient Chu state during the Warring States period. Qu Yuan, a descendant of the Chu royal family, served in high offices in his state. He wrote influential Chinese literary works like 'Li Sao', including poetry. He is

commonly referred to as a a great patriotic 'poet' and a 'statesperson'. works in literature. However, he is more properly considered as a ministerial Confucius scholar. Qu Yuan always put forward policies and encouraged the king of Chu to make his state stronger independently. Qu Yuan' measures were carried out and his state become thriving and strong. Unfortunately, the good time did't last long. He was entrapped by evil speech and dismissed by the king because of his action against alliance between Chu state and Qin State. During his exile, Qu Yuan wrote a great deal of famous literary works to express deep worry about his state. Qu Yuan's worry was proved to be right. Twenty-eight years later, Qin conquered the Chu capital. In despair at not being able to halt the decline the state, he drowned himself in the Miluo Rover on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Heard Qu Yuan's suicide, the local people who admired his patriotic action rowed their boats out onto the river to search for his corpse. At the same time, some people threw food into the water to prevent Qu Yuan's corpse from being eaten by prawns, fish and crabs. Wu Zixu - Despite the modern popularity of the Qu Yuan origin theory, in the former territory of the state of Wu the festival commemorated Wu Zixu (526 BC - 484 BC). Like Qu Yuan, Wu Zixu was a loyal advisor whose advice was ignored by the king to the detriment of the kingdom. Wu Zixu was forced to commit suicide by the king Fuchai, with his body thrown into the river on the fifth day of the fifth month. After his death, Wu Zixu was revered as a river god. The local people used the ways (similar to that people used for Qu Yuan) as sacrifice ritual to worship the river god. In places such as Suzhou, in Jiangsu province, Wu Zixu is remembered during the Duanwu Festival to this day. It is said the the food the people threw into the river water is the origin of Zongzi (Chinese rice dumplings). It is said to be the origin of dragon boat racing that the local people were paddling out on boats onto the the local river. that is what the Chu people used their ways to offer mourning to Quyuan after his death. The date and the ways were developed into a custom, troditiona and festival now. Modern researchers have theorized that the commemoration of Qu Yuan or Wu Zixu were superimposed onto an existing holiday tradition, but has subsequently overtaken the original significance. More people agree that traditional rituals of the Duanwu Festival represent offerings to the Gods and worship of dragon king and mostly relate to avoiding diseases and luck blessings in Chinese culture. How to Celebrate Dragon Boat Festival in China? When the Duanwu or Dragon Boat Festival comes, Chinese people go on some most widespread activities on celebration. 1. Dragon Boat races is the most attractively exciting activity for celebration of the festival. The races will be held on the rivers near local villages and town and always draw a lot of audiences.

2. Most of housewives are to prepare zongzi at home. Zongzi fiiled with various ingredients offer a good taste for the festival. The people drink some medicated liquor like realgar (king's yellow) wine for health. 3. The leaves of flagleaf and argy wormwood are kept hanging on the upper corner of doors and windows for days, which are designed to ward off disease or evil from the house. 4. Pictures of Zhong Kui (mythical guardian against evil spirits) and Joss paper with spell are sticked to doors for a wish of blessings. 5. Pretty Chinese knots, little aroma pouch are given to Children for luckiness. 6. Swing and more popular game are playing near houses. Dragon boat race and Zongzi eating are the most widespread througout the country. That is Must-do things. And other activities and game are of some local difference.