DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

BY: Gui Liping

Basic Information

• In China it is called “Duanwu jie”

• Occurs on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar (Double Fifth)

• Is celebrated in countries and Cities all over the world: China, Japan, Vietnam, Colorado, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Korea

• Originated in China• Said to commemorate the death

of the poet Qu Yuan • Qu Yuan was exiled and lost his

last hope for his country , commited suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo River.

• Locals who admired him paddled out in boats, so that the fish would not eat his body.

Origins

• Living in the latter part of the Warring States Period (476 BC - 221 BC), Qu Yuan was the earliest great patriotic poet as well as a great statesman, ideologist, diplomat and reformer in ancient China. He has the reputation of being one of the world four great cultural celebrities. His patriotic influence has left its mark on many subsequent generations in China and beyond.

Boats• Generally brightly painted and

decorated canoes• Size ranges from 40-100 feet• Head of the boat is shaped like

open-mouthed dragon, while the stern is shaped like a scaly tail

• Can hold up to 80 rowers• The boat is brought to life by

painting the eyes in the “sacred ceremony”

• Winner is first team to grab a flag at the end of the course.

Rituals• The double Fifth day is at the beginning

of summer, when disease is likely to strike

• To fend off evil spirits people wear talismans and hang picture of Zhong Kui, guardian against evil spirits, on the door

• Adults may drink Xiong Huang wine, and children carry silk pouches, all of which can also prevent evil.

• It is said that if you can balance a raw egg on its end at exactly noon on Double Fifth Day, the rest of the year will be lucky

Zong Zi• The traditional food for the

Dragon Boat Festival• Is a glutinous rice ball, with a

filling, wrapped in corn leaves• The fillings can be egg, beans,

dates, fruits, sweet potato, walnuts, mushrooms, meats, or a combination of them all

• Are generally steamed

端午节 dragon boat festival五月五日 May 5 (lunar) 粽子 zongzi龙舟赛 dragon boat race

Enjoy the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_ann43lLMA