One of China's major traditional festivals, the Dragon Boat Festival has been celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of Chinese lunar calendar. 端午节是中国最重要的传统节日之一，人们在农历五月初五庆祝这一节日。
Why Is Dragon Boat Festival So Important? 为什么端午节如此重要?
Many believe that Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated to commemorate the death of Qu Yuan, a famous Chinese poet, and minister known for his patriotism and contributions to classical poetry, who eventually became a national hero.
许多人认为端午节是为了纪念屈原的死，他是一位著名的中国诗人，也是一位爱国主义名臣，他对古典诗歌的贡献闻名于世，最终成为民族英雄。
Qu Yuan was a patriotic poet and exiled official during the Warring States Period of ancient China. He drowned himself in the Miluo River on the 5th day of the 5th Chinese lunar month, when his beloved Chu State fell to the State of Qin.
屈原是中国古代战国时期的一位爱国诗人和流放官员。他在农历五月初五投汨罗江自尽，当时他心爱的楚国被秦国吞并。
Local people desperately tried to save Qu Yuan or recover his body, to no avail.
当地人民拼命抢救屈原的遗体，但都无济于事。
In order to commemorate Qu Yuan, every fifth day of the fifth lunar month people beat drums and paddle out in boats on the river as they once did to keep fish and evil spirits away from his body.
为了纪念他，每逢农历五月初五，人们就会像从前那样在河上击鼓划桨，使鱼和妖魔鬼怪远离屈原的身体。
How Do People Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival? 人们如何庆祝端午节?
1. Eating Sticky Rice Dumplings 吃粽子
Zongzi are the most traditional Dragon Boat Festival food. Related to Qu Yuan commemoration, the legend says that lumps of rice were thrown into the river to stop fish eating his drowned body.
粽子是端午节最传统的食物。这与纪念屈原有关，传说人们把米团扔进河里，以防止鱼吃他的遗体。
2. Participating In Dragon Boat Races 参加龙舟赛
The wooden boats are shaped and decorated in the form of a Chinese dragon. The boats’ size varies by region and usually need 30–60 people to paddle them. During the races, dragon boat teams paddle harmoniously and hurriedly, accompanied by the sound of beating drums. It is said that the winning team will have good luck and a happy life in the following year.
这些木船的形状和装饰都是中国龙的样式。这些船的大小因地区而异，通常需要30-60人来划桨。比赛时，龙舟队员们在鼓声中划桨，节奏和谐而急促。据说获胜的队伍在接下来的一年里会有好运和幸福。
3. Hanging Chinese Mugwort and Calamus 悬挂艾草和菖蒲
The Dragon Boat Festival is held at the start of summer when diseases are more prevalent. Mugwort leaves are used medicinally in China to combat such diseases. Their fragrance deters flies and mosquitoes. Calamus is an aquatic plant that has similar effects.
端午节是在初夏时举行的，而这个时节更是疾病盛行的时候。艾叶在中国被用作药物来对抗这些疾病。它的香味能驱赶苍蝇和蚊子。菖蒲是一种具有类似效果的水生植物。
On the fifth day of the fifth month, people usually clean their houses, courtyards, and hang mugwort and calamus on doors lintels to discourage diseases. It is also said hanging mugwort and calamus can bring good luck to the family.
在五月初五这一天，人们通常会打扫房屋、庭院，并在门楣上挂艾草和菖蒲来驱邪。也有人说悬挂艾草和菖蒲可以给家庭带来好运。
4. Drinking Realgar Wine 饮雄黄酒
There is an old saying: 'Drinking realgar wine drives diseases and evils away!' Realgar wine is a Chinese alcoholic drink consisting of fermented cereals and powdered realgar.
有句老话说:“喝雄黄酒可以驱病驱邪!”雄黄酒是中国一种由发酵谷物和雄黄粉制成的酒精饮料。
In ancient times, people believed that realgar was an antidote for all poisons, and effective for killing insects and driving away evil spirits. So, everyone would drink some realgar wine during the Dragon Boat Festival.
在古代，人们认为雄黄能解百毒，有杀虫辟邪的功效。所以，人们都会在端午节喝一些雄黄酒。
Dragon Boat Festival Greetings 端午节的祝福语
Did you know that “Happy Dragon Boat Festival” might not be an appropriate greeting, even though it sounds quite natural?
你知道吗，“端午节快乐”可能不是一个合适的问候语，尽管它听起来很自然。
“Safe and Healthy Dragon Boat Festival” is getting more popular as a greeting.
“端午安康”则是一种越来越受欢迎的问候方式。
Now that you have learned the traditions of this Festival, I hope you could benefit from it and wish you a Safe and Healthy Dragon Boat Festival!
现在你已经了解了这个节日的传统，我希望你能从中受益，并祝你端午安康!
