详情

五月五，是端阳;门插艾，香满堂;吃粽子，洒白糖;龙舟下水喜洋洋。这个原本纪念爱国诗人屈原的节日，看似沉重，却是真实意义上的中式嘉年华。佩香囊、饮雄黄，兰汤沐浴，端午节祛病防害的传统在当下更突显时代意义。端午节，该说“端午快乐”还是“端午安康”呢?
Traditions transcend centuries to reflect people's patriotism
岁岁酬端午，浓浓爱国情
Dragon Boat Festival is more than 2,000 years old, originating in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC).
端午节起源于春秋时期（公元前770-476年），距今已有2000多年的历史。
Different from other traditional festivals, it is an occasion with a strong social influence.
与其他传统节日不同，端午节是一个社会影响力很强的节日。
Since ancient times, the customs associated with the festival have had a human touch. The interpretation of a particular custom in each region is often linked to commemorations of local sages, such as the patriotic poet Qu Yuan.
自古以来，与端午节相关的习俗都充满了人情味。每个地区对特定习俗的阐释往往与纪念当地圣贤有关，比如爱国诗人屈原。

Despite having many origins and legends surrounding it, the festival is today acknowledged and celebrated by most Chinese in memory of Qu, who lived in the latter part of the Warring States Period (475-221 BC).
尽管关于端午节起源的传说很多，如今流传最广的是端午节源于纪念战国末年爱国诗人屈原。
The festival carries historical memories and spiritual connotations that transcend time to reflect Chinese people's unwavering patriotism.
端午节承载着超越时间的历史记忆和精神内涵，体现了中国人民坚定不移的爱国主义精神。
According to Shiji (Records of the Grand Historian), a vast history of the Chinese world from its beginnings to the late second century BC written by Grand Historiographer Sima Qian, Qu was a minister in the court of King Huai in the Chu state during the Warring States Period.
《史记》是西汉史学家司马迁撰写的纪传体史书，中国历史上第一部纪传体通史，记录了中国自黄帝时代至汉武帝太初年间共3000多年的历史。书中记载屈原是战国时期楚国的大臣。
Qu advocated empowering talent, enriching the country, strengthening the army, and making alliances with states such as the Wei and Qi to fight against the Qin state. However, he was strongly opposed by the nobleman Zilan and others.
屈原主张选贤任能、富国强兵，联合魏、齐等国对抗秦国，但却遭到楚怀王幼子子兰等人的强烈反对。

During his time in exile, Qu wrote long poems such as Li Sao (On Encountering Sorrow), Tian Wen (Questions to Heaven) and Nine Songs to express his concern for the country and its people.
在其流放期间，屈原写下了《离骚》《天问》《九歌》等长诗，表达了他对国家前途和人民命运的关切。
In 278 BC, the Qin Army conquered the Chu capital. Seeing that his homeland had been invaded, Qu was heartbroken. He could not bear to abandon his home, and committed suicide by drowning in the Miluo River.
公元前278年，秦国攻楚，占领楚国国都。眼见故土被侵，屈原心如刀绞。他不能承受去国离乡之痛，最终投汨罗江自尽。
Legend has it that after Qu’s death, the Chu people were deeply saddened and flocked to the river to pay their respects.
屈原死后，楚国人民悲伤万分，聚在汨罗河边悼念屈原。
Fishermen took to their boats, scouring the waterway to salvage Qu’s body. One fisherman took out some rice balls, eggs and other food prepared for Qu, making a loud sound as he threw the food into the river, in the belief that if the fish, lobsters and crabs were full, they would not eat Qu’s body.
渔夫乘舟江上，搜寻屈原的尸体。有的渔夫拿出准备的饭团、鸡蛋还有其他食物，弄出巨大的声响再扔到河里。他们觉得，如果鱼、虾、蟹吃饱了，它们就不会再吃屈原的尸身了。

When people saw this, they followed suit. One elderly physician brought a jar of realgar wine and poured it into the river to stun the dragons in the water so that it would not harm Qu’s body.
人们看到这一幕，纷纷效仿。有位老郎中带了罐黄酒，把酒倒进河里，以此麻痹水中游龙，这样它们就不会伤害屈原的尸体了。
Later, fearing that the rice balls would be eaten by dragons, people came up with the idea of wrapping rice in reed leaves and tying the leaves with colored silk thread. Thus, zongzi came into being.
后来，人们担心饭团会被龙吃掉，便想出主意，把米包进芦苇叶中，并用彩色丝绳将其扎紧。由此，粽子诞生了。

▌ Dragon boat racing
赛龙舟
Dragon boat racing mainly takes place in southern China.
赛龙舟主要在中国南方盛行。
On May 23, 2011, the activity was approved by the State Council for inclusion in the third batch of national intangible cultural heritage.
2011年5月23日，国务院批准将赛龙舟列入第三批国家级非物质文化遗产名录。

▲ 2021年6月14日，在重庆巫溪县大宁河边，观众在观看龙舟比赛。图源：中国日报
Dragon boat racing has developed into a water sport, with competitions held nationwide on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.
赛龙舟已发展成为一项水上运动，每年的农历五月五日在全国各地举办。
In 2010, the activity became an official event for the first time at the Asian Games, which were held in Guangzhou, Guangdong province.
2010年，在广东省广州市举办的亚运会上，赛龙舟首次成为亚运会正式比赛项目。
▌Be happy? or Be sad?
端午该高兴还是该悲伤？
In the past two years, a belief has arisen that due to Qu's death, Dragon Boat Festival should not be celebrated as a happy occasion. Instead of saying 'Happy Dragon Boat Festival', people should say, 'Stay safe and sound at Dragon Boat Festival', according to the belief.
近来，有人认为，为悼念屈原之死，端午节不应被当作一个快乐的节日来庆祝。过端午不该说“端午节快乐”，而应问候“端午节安康”。
However, Tian Zhaoyuan, a professor at East China Normal University's Folklore Institute, said it is irresponsible to say that people should not express their happiness during the festival.
然而，华东师范大学民俗研究所教授田兆元认为，人们不该在端午表达快乐的想法是不负责任的。

The event, a Chinese carnival, has been a happy occasion over the years, Tian said. Before the pandemic emerged, people formed teams to compete on the water, and spectators gathered on the shore to watch and drink.
田兆元说，多年来，端午节已成为中国的狂欢节，一个快乐的节日。在疫情暴发前，人们组队比赛划龙舟，观众聚集在岸边观赏、饮酒。
As for commemorating Qu, Tian said the festival should not be used as a day of mourning and sorrow.
就纪念屈原来说，他认为端午不应沉浸在哀悼和悲伤中。
Qu was a romantic poet, and his works are full of beautiful things. The stories and legends about him are also part of the romantic Chu culture, Tian said.
田兆元说，屈原是一位浪漫主义诗人，他的作品充满了美好的事物。关于屈原的故事和传说也是浪漫的楚文化不可缺少的一部分。
“Everyone can say, 'Happy Dragon Boat Festival’,” Tian added.
“每个人都可以说'端午节快乐’。”田兆元说。