The Dragon Boat Festival occurs on the fifth day of the fifth moon of thelunar calendar(阴历). It is one of the three most important of the annual Chinesefestivals. The other two are the Autumn Moon Festival and Chinese New Year.
The story of this colorful festival concerns a famous Chinesescholar-statesman(政治家) named Chu Yuan(屈原) who, some three centuries before thebirth of Christ, served the King of Chu(楚怀王)during the Warring States period. Asa loyal minister(大臣), Chu Yuan at first enjoyed the full confidence and respectof his sovereign(君主). Eventually, through the intrigues of his rivals, he wasdiscredited(不足信的, 不名誉的).
Chu Yuan was never able to regain(恢复) the emperor's favor and on the fifthday of the fifth moon in the year 295 B.C.(Before Christ), at the age of 37, ChuYuan clasped a stone to his chest and plunged into the Milo River(汨罗江) in theHunan Province(湖南省).
Respecting the minister as an upright(正直的) and honest man, the people wholived in the area jumped into their boats and rushed out in a vain search forhim. This unsuccessful rescue attempt is a part of what the Dragon Boat Festivalcommemorates every year.
Probably the most exciting and interesting aspect of the festival is theracing of the Dragon Boats. These races not only symbolize the people's attemptto save Chu Yuan, they also demonstrate the Chinese virtues(美德) of cooperationand teamwork.
Another activity of the Festival is the making and eating of a kind ofdumpling called Tzungtzu (粽子). When it became known that Chu Yuan was goneforever, the people, living along the river, threw cooked rice into the water asa sacrifice(祭品) to their dead hero. They wrapped(包) rice in bamboo leaves(粽叶),and stuffed(填满) it with ham, beans, bean paste(豆沙), salted egg yokes, sausages,nuts, and/or vegetables.
To the Chinese the fifth lunar moon is more than just the Dragon BoatFestival. Since antiquity(古代), they have believed that this month is apestilential and danger-fraught(瘟疫的及充满危险的) period. Children born in this monthare said to be difficult to raise(抚养), and people tend to concentrate theirefforts during this time attempting to protect their families from ills andmisfortune. The day of the Dragon Boat Festival is customarily the time whencleaning and sanitation(卫生) are stressed(着重, 强调). Most families hang calamus(菖蒲)and artemisia(艾草) above their doors, both as a decoration and as a preventiveagainst pestilence.
Ancient folk medicines(民间药物) such as realgar(雄黄酒)are added to the foodeaten on the Festival day. This is believed to prevent disease and to promote ahealthy digestive system(消化器官). The drinking of realgar in wine supposedlyrelieves(解除) the effects of poisons accumulated in human bodies.
The sachets (Hsiang Pao in Chinese香包) are very popular with children andthey vie(竞争) with each other to collect as many as possible. Children are notthe only ones who collect Hsiang Pao. Older people are often given them as asymbol of respect, and they are highly prized because of the intricate(复杂的) andbeautiful embroidery(刺绣) that adorns(装饰) them.
The Dragon Boat Festival is an entertaining and enjoyable event. It givesthe observer an opportunity to glimpse a part of the rich Chinese culturalheritage.
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