There are several different versions and legends about the origin of this festival, among which the legend of Qu Yuan is the most popular. The Origin of Dragon Boat Festival Based on story of Qu Yuan, after Qu Yuan jumping into the river, local people paddled boats to drive fishes away and fed the water creatures with Zongzi, so that Qu Yuan's body would not become their dinner. In 299 BC, the King Huaiwang of Chu was cheated and got trapped in the State of Qin, and Chu State had been suppressed by Qin State from then on. During this chaotic time, China was divided into many feuding states, all vying for power and control over their neighbours. His works, the Lament (Li Sao), the Nine Chapters (Jiu Zhang), and Wen tian are masterpieces and invaluable for studying ancient Chinese culture. Fishermen raced to the spot in their boats to search for his body. He traveled extensively, taught and wrote about his ideas. One of the things she revealed is that there is a stark difference between paddling on a static lake and at sea. During his exile, Qu Yuan did not give up. A dragon boat can hold anywhere from 10 to 30 paddlers, along with a Cox at the stern who steers the boat and a drummer in the bow who beats out the tempo for the paddlers to follow. However, the reform did harm to some nobles’ interests and they framed Qu Yuan, which made the King abolished the reform and alienated Qu Yuan. Dragon boat races are organised not only in China, but in other parts of Asia as well, and even outside the region. Losing the supporter, Qu Yuan was dismissed from the court thoroughly. Unfortunately, fresh bamboo leaves are hard to find. Later, the situation of Chu State became worse and worse, but Qu Yuan cannot do anything to help. Legend says after people heard he drowned, they were greatly dismayed. B.A., East Asian Studies, Brown University. Let’s start with the Qu Yuan story. Alas, everything he had feared came to pass and Chu was conquered by the armies of Qin, which threw Qu Yuan into despair. All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2020 FMT Media Sdn Bhd. And when he heard that the Chu State was defeated by the strong Qin State, he was in such despair that he ended his life by flinging himself into the Miluo River. They exerted their evil influence on the emperor, so the emperor gradually dismissed Qu Yuan and eventually exiled him. According to the legend of Qu Yuan, Qu Yuan felt so upset and sorrow about his country and his people that on the lunar May fifth he threw himself into the Miluo River and such ended his life. They are a distinctive feature of the Dragon Boat Festival, which marks the death of a patriotic poet. Dragon boat races may be Chinese in origin, but today they are held worldwide. The fifth lunar month is considered an unlucky month. Wen Yiduo suggested that the festival may be closely associated with dragons because two of its most important activities, boat racing and eating zongzi, have ties to dragons. While ocean currents can be an impediment for teams trying to stabilise the vessel, it is generally easier to paddle in the lighter seawater. In some Chinese communities, the Dragon Boat Festival is referred to as the Double Fifth Festival. To trace its origins, one would have to travel back in time to the Warring States period, from 475BC to 221BC. In the centre of the boat are the engines who help the boat to go as far as it can and in the rear are the rockets, who are often the heavyweights of the team who boost the boat’s speed when needed. Another view is that the festival originated from the taboo of evil days. What is the story behind the Dragon Boat Festival? In 278 BC, the capital of Chu State was captured by troops of Qin. Top 12 Events of Dragon Boat Racing in China, Origin and History of Dragon Boat Festival. Since then, people commemorated Qu Yuan through dragon boat races, eating zongzi and other activities on the anniversary of his death, the fifth of the fifth month. And as the name implies, races are organised between boats decorated with dragon motifs. Since then, people commemorate Qu Yuan every year on lunar May fifth by dragon boat racing and eating Zongzi, which is the origin of Dragon Boat Festival and two most important customs of the festival.This legend of Qu Yuan is the most widely spread Dragon Boat Festival story, having been popular not only in China, but also in neighboring Asian countries. He was a wise and erudite man. When they could not recover his body, they threw rice into the water to lure the fish away from the deceased poet. The fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar is traditionally considered an evil month and the fifth of the month is particularly a bad day, so a lot of taboo had been developed. He was a patriot and a poet who also served the King of Chu as a minister. Qu Yuan served in the court of Emperor Huai during the Warring States Period (475 - 221 BC). Decorated with dragon motifs and with a dragon head in the bow to lead the boat, wooden dragon boats tear through the water as they race against each other for the ultimate prize. Prior to the cancellation of large events caused by Covid-19, Penang regularly played host to international dragon boat races. He was very talented and had many ideas to make his state stronger. FMT spoke to Vinny Tan, a member of a dragon boat racing team from 2017 to 2019, to get an insight into the races. “There cannot be that one hero on a team,” she said. The Dragon Boat Festival has been celebrated for over 2,000 years now, and the tradition continues to be observed in Malaysia. He saw the danger Qin posed to his state but his competence had earned him the ire of rival politicians who slandered him until he was sent into exile. In order to get rid of the misfortune, people would put calamus, Artemisia, pomegranate flowers, Chinese ixora and garlic above the doors on the fifth day of the fifth month. Copyright © 1998-2020 All rights reserved. Further ReadingOrigin and History of Dragon Boat Festival. Charlie Custer is a writer, editor, and video producer focusing on China. Traditionally, the eyes are painted onto the face of the dragon on the bow of the boat in a ceremony that “brings the dragon to life”. Outgoing Trump still looking to resolve TikTok’s security issues. Today you may see zongzi in different shapes and with a variety of fillings. His ability and fight against corruption antagonized other court officials. The fillings include dates, meat and egg yolks, but the most popular fillings are dates. Another view is that the festival originated from the taboo of evil days. Zongzi is the most popular food for the festival. It is a special kind of dumpling usually made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves. Read more about Qu Yuan. Traditionally, families would come together to make “zongzi” just for this special day. In Malaysia, “zongzi” is called bakchang, bacang or zang, mostly due to the Hokkien influence. As to be expected, dragon boat races are won or lost by the teamwork and coordination the team exhibits. Since the shape of calamus forms like a sword and with the strong smell of the garlic, it is believed that they can remove the evil spirits.