What is the relationship between the Dragon Boat Festival and Qu Yuan? Why do we eat rice dumplings and race dragon boats on the Dragon Boat Festival?
We know that we eat rice dumplings during the Dragon Boat Festival, and we also know that the Dragon Boat Festival is related to Qu Yuan, but we only know that Qu Yuan jumped into the river, and people have to throw rice dumplings into the river during the Dragon Boat Festival. So what exactly is the Dragon Boat Festival related to Qu Yuan? What about relationships? I will take you to clarify your doubts.
The relationship between the Dragon Boat Festival and Qu Yuan
The "Xu Qi Xie Ji" written by Wu Jun of the Southern Dynasties has this record: "Qu Yuan, a doctor of Chu, was slandered and threw himself into the Miluo River on that day. The people of Chu mourned his death and used boats to save him." This shows that Qu Yuan's folklore also has some basis.
The history of dragon boat racing
It is said that Qu Yuan threw himself into the Miluo River on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month and was trapped by dragons after his death. , the world mourns and throws colorful silk rice dumplings into the water on this day to drive away the dragons. It is also said that after Qu Yuan threw himself into the Miluo River, local people immediately rowed boats to rescue him after hearing the news. The boats reached Dongting Lake, but Qu Yuan's body was not found. At that time, it happened to be a rainy day, and the boats on the lake gathered together at the pavilion on the shore. When people learned that they were salvaging the virtuous minister Qu, they went out in the rain again and rushed into the vast Dongting Lake. In order to express their grief, people went boating on the rivers, and then it gradually developed into dragon boat racing.
Eating Zongzi during the Dragon Boat Festival
After Qu Yuan, a doctor from the state of Chu, threw himself into the Miluo River and died, the fishermen on the river and the people on the shore came to the river one after another to fight for their lives. To salvage Qu Yuan's body, (this custom later evolved into dragon boat racing), people took out their rice dumplings and eggs and threw them into the river, so that the fish would eat them and not bite Qu Yuan's body. There was also a doctor who poured realgar wine into the river to stun dragons and water animals and protect Dr. Qu Yuan's body from harm. Not long after, a faint dragon floated on the water, with a piece of Dr. Qu's clothes still on the dragon's beard. People pulled the evil dragon ashore, cramped it, and then wrapped the dragon's tendons around the children's hands. On the neck, realgar wine is applied to the seven orifices, and some even write the word "king" on the child's forehead, so that poisonous snakes and pests will not dare to harm them.
Qu Yuan’s Hometown
Qu Yuan’s Hometown Scenic Area is located in the new county seat of Zigui County. It includes the Qu Yuan Memorial Scenic Area, which is dominated by Qu Yuan Temple, and features Xintan ancient dwellings, Xiajiang stone carvings, and Xiajiang Ancient Bridge. The focus is on the Three Gorges ancient residential area, as well as scenic spots such as Quyuan Cultural and Art Center and waterfront landscape belt.
Qu Yuan’s hometown was first built in the Tang Dynasty and was renamed "Qing Lie Gong Temple" in the third year of Yuanfeng (1080 AD). In July 1976, due to the construction of the Gezhouba Water Conservancy Project, it was moved to Guizhou and renamed "Quyuan Temple". Nowadays, due to the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, the newly built Qu Yuan Temple is located on the ridge of Fenghuang Mountain, facing the southeast and facing the Three Gorges Dam. It has a mountain gate, two side rooms, stele gallery, front hall, music and dance building, main hall, Xiangtang, It consists of Qu Yuan's tomb and other buildings.
Qu Yuan’s hometown attractions
Xiangluping
Xiangluping is the place where Qu Yuan was born. There is a bluestone tablet standing in the center of the ping, with official script engraved on it: "The birthplace of Qu Yuan, the official of Chu Sanlu". It is said that more than 2,000 years ago, there lived a family on this mountain plain, whose male name was Boyong. One day when Mrs. Boyong was about to give birth, auspicious clouds suddenly appeared in the sky, accompanied by the sound of silk and bamboo. Boyong was very surprised, so he immediately set up an incense burner outside the door and burned incense to worship. At this time, a baby's croaking sound came from the room, and a strange fragrance also hit my nose. Because the child had abnormal signs when he was born, Boyong liked him very much and named him Qu Yuan. Because there was a strange fragrance when Qu Yuan was born, this small flat was also called Xianglu Ping. Zhaomian Well
On the hillside of Fuhu Mountain opposite Xiangluping, there is an ancient well, which is said to have been dug by Qu Yuan. Because the rock was extremely hard, it took a long time to dig a small pit. But he was not discouraged and finally moved the mountain god. The mountain god gave him an iron pickaxe, and he dug for another seven, seven and forty-nine days before finally digging the well. After the well was completed, it would not dry up all year round and would be crystal clear. Qu Yuan and his sister came to the well every day to wash themselves and make up, hence the name Zhaomian Well. In the 10th year of Xianfeng reign of the Qing Dynasty, the villagers placed a stele of "Zhaomianjing" under the evergreen tree beside the well, and inscribed on it: "This is the well left by Qu Gong. It must not be abandoned and polluted in the future; this green tree must not be cut down forever."
"The well and the stele still exist today. Reading Cave
The Reading Cave is located halfway up the mountain in the deep valley of Xianggu River. According to legend, it was the place where Qu Yuan studied. The entrance of the cave originally had the three characters "Reading Cave" carved during the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty. , has long been peeled off, and now a new monument has been erected. It is said that when Qu Yuan was studying in the cave, there were stone tables, stone chairs, and stone benches. It is widely said by the villagers that when walking by the cave at night, there was the sound of reading loudly in the cave. In fact, this is an illusion caused by the sound of the mountains and rivers in Shudu Cave. There is a round stone platform on the Xianggu Rock in the west of Dudu Cave. Legend has it that King Zhuang of Chu once beat drums here to supervise the battle, so it was named Lei Lei. Drum Platform. When Qu Yuan was in his hometown, he often visited this platform to recite his poems, so it is also called the Three Corn Hills.
Go down from the Reading Cave and go up the Xianggu River to Wangzhai. In front of the mountain, you can see the newly restored Qu Yuan Temple located on the hillside. There are two "longyan" springs under the temple, and there are three paddy fields near the spring, which are said to be the places where Qu Yuan worked, known as the "Three Corns". "Qiu". This legend has a long history. It was recorded in writing in "Qu Yuan's Biography" by Shen Yazhi of the Tang Dynasty. Shen Yun: After Qu Yuan was exiled, he recited poems and cultivated the fields. Every time he thought about the fate of Chu, he felt worried and sad. , "The original place of tears produces white rice like jade."