The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival, is one of the three major traditional festivals in China. There are many theories about the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival, the most famous of which is to commemorate the great patriotic poet Qu Yuan. However, the Dragon Boat Festival existed before Qu Yuan, and its theme was mainly to worship gods and drive away evil spirits. This article will explore the historical origins and traditional customs of the Dragon Boat Festival.
I. Historical origins of the Dragon Boat Festival
The history of the Dragon Boat Festival can be traced back to ancient times. At that time, people held sacrificial activities to pray for the blessing of the gods and drive away evil. These activities usually took place on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, so it was called "Dragon Boat Festival". Although the specific time of the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival cannot be determined, it is certain that it is much earlier than the era of Qu Yuan.
II. Traditional customs based on worshiping gods
Before Qu Yuan, the main activity of the Dragon Boat Festival was to worship gods. Ancient people believed that May was the season when plagues and diseases were prevalent. Therefore, on this day, they would hold a series of sacrificial activities to pray for the protection of the gods. In addition, people would wear plants with the effect of driving away evil spirits and avoiding epidemics, such as mugwort and calamus, and hang Zhong Kui images and paste talismans to drive away evil spirits and diseases.
III. Customs to commemorate Qu Yuan
Later, in order to commemorate the great patriotic poet Qu Yuan, people added many activities related to Qu Yuan to the Dragon Boat Festival. It is said that Qu Yuan committed suicide by throwing himself into the Miluo River on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Therefore, people hold dragon boat races on this day to express their nostalgia for Qu Yuan. At the same time, they will also eat zongzi, because it is said that at that time, in order to prevent fish and shrimp from biting Qu Yuan's body, the people threw rice balls into the river to feed the fish.
IV. Modern significance of the Dragon Boat Festival
Nowadays, the Dragon Boat Festival has become an important part of traditional Chinese culture. On this festival, people not only hold various celebration activities, but also inherit and promote the excellent culture of the Chinese nation through this festival. At the same time, the Dragon Boat Festival has also become a time for relatives and friends to gather and express their care.
Conclusion:
Although there are many theories about the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival, its status as a traditional Chinese festival is unquestionable. From the initial worship of gods and driving away evil spirits to the later commemoration of Qu Yuan, the Dragon Boat Festival carries rich historical and cultural connotations. On this special day, we should not only celebrate the joy of the festival, but also inherit and carry forward the excellent traditional culture of the Chinese nation.
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