Chinese Dragon Boat Festival By Lauren Reifowitz History

Chinese Dragon Boat Festival By Lauren Reifowitz

History of the Dragon Boat Festival Back in 340 -278 BC the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival began. It began when a famous poet, Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River, right after finishing his last poem. He drowned himself because he couldn’t stand to see his country be defeated. People honored him and searched for his body. They put zongzi (glutinious rice wrapped in bamboo leaves or reeds) into the river. (Zongzi is shaped like a pyramid. ) People put the zongzi into the river to make sure that the fish would have something to eat just in case Qu Yuan’s body was still in the river, so that the fish wouldn’t nibble away at his body. The people also put regular wine into the river to make the fish drunk. Unfortunately, Qu Yuan ‘s body was never found. That is why people follow traditions such as dragon boat racing, eating zongzi and drinking regular wine on that day.

The Chinese Dragon • On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, people decorate their racing boats as dragons. The, head, neck, and arms of the dragon would be on the front, and the feet and tail would stick out the back. The sides would be decorated with shingles and curvy designs of all colors. The Chinese dragon does not breathe fire. They are a symbol of good luck. The Chinese dragon is supposed to bring money, fame, and give rain to farmers. •

Conclusion China has many special festivals and celebrations, but the Dragon Boat Festival is a very, very special one.