The holiday I chose is from China it is called Dragon boat festival. It is celebrated on the 5th of the 5th month of the Chinese lunar calander. “Legend of the Dragon Boat Festival's Origin At the end of the Zhou Dynasty, the area we now know as China had fallen into a state of fragmentation and conflict. While the Zhou dynasty had ruled for several centuries, several other states, originally feudal domains, tried to carve out their own kingdoms. The state of Qin would eventually emerge the victor and unify all of China under one rule for the first time in history. Qu Yuan served as minister to the Zhou Emperor. A wise and articulate man, he was loved by the common people. He did much to fight against the rampant corruption that plagued the court-- thereby earning the envy and fear of other officials. Therefore, when he urged the emperor to avoid conflict with the Qin Kingdom, the officials pressured the Emperor to have him removed from service. In exile, he traveled, taught and wrote for several years. Hearing that the Zhou had been defeated by the Qin, he fell into despair and threw himself into the Milou River. His last poem reads:
Many a heavy sigh I have in my despair,
Grieving that I was born in such an unlucky time.
I yoked a team of jade dragons to a phoenix chariot,
And waited for the wind to come,
to sour up on my journey
Grieving that I was born in such an unlucky time.
I yoked a team of jade dragons to a phoenix chariot,
And waited for the wind to come,
to sour up on my journey
As he was so loved by the people, fishermen rushed out in long boats, beating drums to scare the fish away, and throwing zong zi into the water to feed braver fish so that they would not eat Qu Yuan's body.” (http://www.c-c-c.org/chineseculture/festival/dragonboat/dragon.html).
On the 5th of the 5th month Dragon boat festival. They have dragon boat races, and festival food and other activities. But the most popular that day of course is the dragon boat race. The boats are painted brightly and has fun designs on them, they look like a canoe.
I wish we had a fun and cool holiday like this. Even though I probably won’t be the one of the people in the boats, I think it would be very fun to watch. Or even decorate the boats.
Very interesting holiday. How did you find out about this holiday? I am glad you found something from the Chinese culture since we are going there soon!
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