The Dragon Boat Festival is a vibrant celebration observed annually on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. Rooted in Chinese culture for over 2,000 years, this festival blends ancient legends, family bonds, and communal spirit. Let's explore its origins, traditional customs, and how it continues
端午节是每年农历五月初五举行的盛大庆典。这一节日在中国文化中已有两千多年的历史，融合了古老的传说、家庭纽带和集体精神。让我们一同探寻它的起源、传统习俗，以及它在现代社会中的演变。
The festival's origins trace back to the Warring States period (475–221 BCE), honoring the patriotic poet Qu Yuan. A minister in the state of Chu, Qu Yuan advocated for reforms but faced exile due to political intrigue. Heartbroken by his homeland's decline, he drowned himself in the Miluo River. Locals raced in boats to scare away fish and threw zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) into the water to prevent them from devouring his body. These acts evolved into the dragon boat races and zongzi-making traditions that define the festival today.
这一节日的起源可追溯至战国时期（公元前475-221年），旨在纪念爱国诗人屈原。作为楚国的大臣，屈原主张改革，却因政治斗争遭流放。目睹故土衰败，他悲愤投汨罗江自尽。当地人划船驱赶鱼群，并向江中投掷粽子，以防鱼群啃食他的遗体。这些举动逐渐演变为今日的龙舟竞渡和包粽子习俗。
To celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, communities worldwide embrace time-honored traditions that blend athleticism, culinary artistry, and spiritual symbolism. The highlight is the dragon boat races, where vibrant vessels adorned with fierce dragon heads and scaly tails glide across rivers. Teams of rowers, their oars dipping in unison, are guided by thunderous drumbeats that sync their movements—a powerful display of teamwork and perseverance honoring the legendary poet Qu Yuan.
为庆祝端午节，世界各地的社区沉浸于历史悠久的传统之中，将运动精神、烹饪技艺与精神象征融为一体。节日的亮点是龙舟竞渡——装饰着威严龙头与鳞状龙尾的绚丽龙舟在河面上飞驰。赛艇队员们齐心协力，船桨随激昂鼓点整齐划动，以此向传奇诗人屈原致敬，彰显着团队协作与坚韧不拔的力量。
Beyond the races, homes buzz with warmth as families gather to craft zongzi, pyramid-shaped dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves. Hands move swiftly, layering glutinous rice with fillings like sweet red bean paste, savory salted egg yolk, or tender pork—a ritual that strengthens familial bonds. Meanwhile, doorways are adorned with fragrant mugwort and calamus, believed to repel evil and purify the season, echoing ancient beliefs in natural remedies and harmony with nature.
除竞渡外，家中洋溢着温馨氛围，家人围坐包制粽子——用竹叶包裹成金字塔形的糯米团。双手灵巧翻飞，将糯米与甜红豆沙、咸蛋黄或鲜嫩猪肉等馅料层层叠加，这一传统增进了亲情。与此同时，门口悬挂着香气宜人的艾草与菖蒲，人们相信它们能驱邪避病，这一习俗呼应了古人对天然草药与顺应自然的信仰。
While core traditions endure, the festival has adapted to contemporary lifestyles. Urban dwellers may buy pre-made zongzi or attend organized races, yet the spirit of community remains. Social media platforms buzz with hashtags like #DragonBoatFestival, sharing recipes, race highlights, and cultural stories.Moreover, the festival's global reach has grown. International dragon boat competitions attract teams worldwide, fostering cross-cultural exchange.
尽管核心传统得以保留，但这一节日已融入现代生活方式。城市居民可能会购买现成的粽子或参加有组织的比赛，但社区精神依然浓厚。社交媒体上，#端午节等话题标签热议不断，人们分享食谱、比赛亮点和文化故事。此外，这一节日的全球影响力不断扩大。国际龙舟比赛吸引了世界各地的队伍，促进了跨文化交流。
The Dragon Boat Festival is more than a date on the calendar—it's a living tapestry of history, family, and resilience. As we savor zongzi and cheer for dragon boats, we honor the past while embracing the future. Whether celebrated in a quiet home or a bustling global event, its essence endures: a reminder of courage, community, and the enduring power of culture.
端午节不仅是日历上的一个日期，更是历史、家庭与坚韧精神的生动写照。当我们品尝粽子、为龙舟呐喊助威时，我们既在缅怀过去，也在拥抱未来。无论是在宁静的家中庆祝，还是在热闹的全球活动中参与，其精髓始终不变：它提醒我们铭记勇气、团结与文化的永恒力量。
Author: Zhao Xiuran
Date: May 29, 2025
