The Dragon Boat Festival is one of the most important festivals in Chinese traditional culture, with a long history and rich customs. During this festival, people commemorate historical figures such as Qu Yuan and Jie Zitui through various activities, and express their admiration and inheritance of patriotism. This article will take you to appreciate the style of the Dragon Boat Festival from the aspects of its origin history, traditional customs, cultural connotation, modern significance, food culture, etc.
1. Origin history
The Dragon Boat Festival originated in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of China and has a history of more than 2,000 years. According to "Historical Records", Qu Yuan was a patriotic poet of Chu State in the Spring and Autumn Period. For the benefit of the country and the people, he advised the King of Chu many times, but none of them were adopted. In the end, he was exiled to the banks of the Xiangjiang River, and finally committed suicide by throwing himself into the river. To commemorate Qu Yuan, people row dragon boats and eat rice dumplings on the fifth day of May every year, gradually forming an important traditional festival, the Dragon Boat Festival.
The Dragon Boat Festival is not only a festival to commemorate Qu Yuan, but also related to Jie Zitui. Jie Zitui was a virtuous man in the state of Jin in the Spring and Autumn Period. After he was persecuted by Duke Xian of Jin, he hid in Mianshan with his mother. However, in order to burn Jie Zitui to death, Duke Xian of Jin ordered to set fire to the mountain. In order to protect his mother, Jie Zitui chose to die bravely. To commemorate Jie Zitui, people eat boiled eggs on the fifth day of May every year, and gradually formed another traditional custom of the Dragon Boat Festival.
The Dragon Boat Festival has a unique status and value in Chinese culture. First of all, the Dragon Boat Festival embodies the patriotic feelings of the Chinese nation. Qu Yuan did not hesitate to sacrifice his life for the benefit of the country and the people. This spirit is a model of the patriotism of the Chinese nation. Secondly, the Dragon Boat Festival embodies the filial piety culture of the Chinese nation. In order to protect his mother, Jie Zitui sacrificed his own life. This spirit is the essence of the filial piety culture of the Chinese nation.
2. Traditional customs
Making Zongzi: The signature food of the Dragon Boat Festival is Zongzi, which is usually celebrated by making Zongzi on this day. Zongzi has sweet, salty, meaty, vegetarian and other flavors, and is made of glutinous rice, meat, bean paste, jujube paste and other ingredients.
Inserting wormwood: The custom of inserting wormwood on the Dragon Boat Festival has a long history. People believe that wormwood can drive away evil spirits and keep their families safe.
Dragon boat rowing: Dragon boat rowing is an important activity of the Dragon Boat Festival and has a long history. People hold dragon boat races on this day to pray for good weather and family harmony.
3. Cultural Connotation
The Dragon Boat Festival has a profound meaning in Chinese culture. It is not only a commemoration of Qu Yuan and other patriotism, but also an inheritance of traditional culture. During the Dragon Boat Festival, people will carry out activities such as outings and viewing scenery to express their awe and gratitude to nature. In addition, the Dragon Boat Festival is also closely related to health preservation in traditional Chinese medicine. For example, eating zongzi can nourish Qi and nourish the stomach, wormwood can drive away moisture, and rowing dragon boats can exercise the body.
4. Modern significance
In modern society, the Dragon Boat Festival still has great significance. First of all, the Dragon Boat Festival is an important platform for people to express their patriotic feelings and spirit. On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, people can express their love and blessings for the motherland by rowing dragon boats and eating rice dumplings. Secondly, the Dragon Boat Festival is an important carrier for people to inherit and carry forward traditional culture. In modern society, people can inherit and promote Chinese culture through the Dragon Boat Festival, a traditional festival itself. Finally, the Dragon Boat Festival is also an important time for people to have leisure and entertainment. On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, people can relax and enjoy the joy and joy of the festival by rowing dragon boats and eating rice dumplings.
5. Food culture
The food culture during the Dragon Boat Festival is rich and colorful. In addition to zongzi, there are mugwort wine, Wuhuang cake, tea and so on. The method of making Zongzi varies from place to place, and there are triangular, rectangular, round, etc., and the fillings include pork, salted egg yolk, shiitake mushrooms, and peanuts. Wormwood wine is brewed from wormwood and glutinous rice. It tastes mellow and has the effect of dispelling dampness and exorcising evil spirits. Wuhuang cake is made of glutinous rice flour, brown sugar, soybean flour, and red date paste, implying a good harvest and a harmonious family. Tea such as Longjing, Biluochun, etc., is the best drink for the Dragon Boat Festival, which helps to quench the thirst and refresh the mind.
6. Conclusion
Dragon Boat Festival is a festival full of meaning and value. It is not only an important part of Chinese traditional culture, but also an important opportunity for people to express their patriotic feelings and spirit, inherit and promote traditional culture, and have leisure and entertainment. On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, we should actively participate in various activities and feel the profound connotation and significance brought by this festival. At the same time, we should continue to carry forward Qu Yuan's patriotic spirit and Jie Zitui's filial piety spirit in real life, and strive hard for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. On this special day, let us taste zongzi, feel the fragrance of wormwood, enjoy the fierce scene of dragon boat racing, and inherit and carry forward the excellent culture of the Chinese nation. I wish everyone a healthy Dragon Boat Festival!