Origin

We all know that the Dragon Boat Festival is on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. It is the most important holiday during summer time.

 Traditionally speaking, Dragon Boat Festival starts from activities in memory of Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan was a minister in the government of the state of Chu. Qu Yuan advocated a policy of alliance with the other kingdoms of the period against the hegemonic and ambitious state of Qin. However, legend has it that the Chu Hwai king, fell under the influence of other corrupt, jealous ministers who slandered Qu Yuan, and banished his most loyal counselor. The Chu Hawi king was tricked to the state of Qin, locked up in jail and then died there. The succeeding Chu Hsiang king fell again under other corrupt ministers, mistook Qu Yuan for a betrayed minister. Instead of listening to Qu Yuan’s advice of wisdom, the Chu Hisiang king exiled Qu Yuan to the other state.

 Having big ambition in mind, and always worrying the future of his own country, Qu Yuan saw the upcoming disaster and corruption for the country, but he could do nothing about it. There was no way he could fulfill his mission. Qu Yuan’s depression and anxiety lead him to the riverside, he often stood there alone and sighed. A man fishing down the river asked him why he’s so depressed. Qu Yuan sighed and answered the fishing man, “The whole world is drunk and I’m the only sober man. The whole world is turbid and I’m the only clear-headed man.” The helplessness and dilemma in his mind was well expressed in these two sentences.

 Unable to regain the respect of the emperor, in his sorrow Qu Yuan carried stone with him and threw himself into the Mi Low river. Hearing the tragic news, the local people of the state of Chu all gathered to the riverside, and tried to find their admired Qu Yuan. Unfortunately his body was never found. In order to prevent Qu Yuan’s body from attacking by the fish, they rowed dragon boat on the river. And with the noisy sound made by gongs and drums, they thought it would scare the fish away. They also used bamboo leaves to wrap some glutinous rice to make the rice dumpling, and then threw them into the river to distract the fish from eating Qu Yuan’s body. This is the origin of how we start dragon boat rowing and rice dumpling making in Dragon Boat Festival.

 However, some of the traditions we have in Dragon Boat Festival go way back than Qu Yuan’s legend. Therefore some scholar assumed that there might be some other origin for Dragon Boat Festival.

 One of the alternative thought is that Dragon Boat Festival originated from the taboo of unlucky day. [Alternative viewpoints]