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Our club 星洲国术 (Pinyin : Xing Zhou Guo Shu) is a Chinese Culture, Martial Arts and Kickboxing Appreciation Group in Singapore.
Duan Wu Jie 端午节 Chinese Dragon Boat Festival
Duan Wu Jie 端午节 falls on the 5th day of 5th Month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar (also known as 农历 Nong Li). In the West, Duan Wu Jie 端午节 is often called the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival or Rice Dumpling Festival.
To the Chinese Culture, Duan Wu Jie 端午节 is one the Four Important Festivals (四大节), together with Xin Nian 新年 (Chinese New Year), Qing Ming Jie 清明节 (Ancestors' Day) and Zhong Qiu Jie 中秋节 (Mid Autumn Festival).
It is said that the Chinese have been celebrating Duan Wu Jie 端午节 for over 2500 years. In the year of 2009, it was proudly added to the UNESCO list of Intangible World Heritage. Duan Wu Jie 端午节 is commonly associated with commemorating the death of the famous Chinese scholar, Qu Yuan 屈原(340BC – 278BC). However, according to Chinese historians, the Chinese have long been observing Duan Wu Jie 端午节 before the death of 屈原 Qu Yuan.
To the Chinese Culture, Duan Wu Jie 端午节 is one the Four Important Festivals (四大节), together with Xin Nian 新年 (Chinese New Year), Qing Ming Jie 清明节 (Ancestors' Day) and Zhong Qiu Jie 中秋节 (Mid Autumn Festival).
It is said that the Chinese have been celebrating Duan Wu Jie 端午节 for over 2500 years. In the year of 2009, it was proudly added to the UNESCO list of Intangible World Heritage. Duan Wu Jie 端午节 is commonly associated with commemorating the death of the famous Chinese scholar, Qu Yuan 屈原(340BC – 278BC). However, according to Chinese historians, the Chinese have long been observing Duan Wu Jie 端午节 before the death of 屈原 Qu Yuan.
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Origins of Duan Wu Jie 端午节 Chinese Dragon Boat Festival
Duan Wu Jie 端午节 was known as Duan Yang 端阳 in the past. Duan 端 meant "Beginning" and Yang 阳 stood for Yang Qi 阳气, or "Warm Energy". Hence, Duan Yang 端阳 translates into “The Beginning of Hot Months” or "The Beginning of Summer".
The ancient Chinese view of the cosmos was based on the Yin 阴 and Yang 阳 theory. They believed that on the day of 端阳, the strong Yang Qi 阳气 or "Warm Energy" from the cosmos would start to radiate throughout the land to drive out the weaker Yin Qi 阴气 or "Cool Energy". Summer would then kick in, and the weather would turn warm and humid. Once the change in season commences, all creatures including the highly feared “Five Poisons 五毒”, namely: Snakes 毒蛇, Toads 蟾蜍, Spiders 蜘蛛, Centipedes 蜈蚣 and Scorpions 蝎子 would be out to harm humanity. Bing Qi 病气 (meaning “Sick Energy” or "Virus") would also be unleashed. In order to steer clear of misfortune, the day of 端阳 was spent dispelling diseases and poisonous creatures by the ancient Chinese. |
According to Chinese historical records, on the day of Duan Yang 端阳, people would go about clearing the potential hiding areas of poisonous creatures in and around their homes. They would also bathe in antiseptic warm water soaked with dried Ai Ye 艾叶 (Chinese Mugworts Leaves), fumigated their homes with stems and leaves of Cang Zhu 苍术 (Atractylodes) in order to get rid of viruses, and consumed tea or wine prepared with Chinese herbs to boost their immune system.
Duan Yang 端阳 was also nicknamed Nu: Er Jie 女儿节, meaning “Daughters’ Day”. Married women would hurriedly return to their Niang Jia 娘家 (their own parents’ home) to help their elders prepare for Duan Yang 端阳 so as to fulfill their role in Xiao Dao 孝道 or Filial Piety.
Married women returning to their Niang Jia 娘家 during Duan Yang 端阳 was also believed to be a “safety measure” for the women’s well-being and their husbands’ work productivity. It was said that if the married women complained to their parents or brothers about their husbands being a sloth (for example, a lazy farmer), a gambler, alcoholic or wife-beater, they would escort the married women back their husbands after Duan Yang 端阳 and Jiao Xun 教训 or "violently educate" their husbands using wooden poles.
The bad husbands could not report to the magistrates after receiving Jiao Xun 教训 from their in-laws, as it was perfectly legal for parents and elders to Jiao Xun 教训 their juniors since the foundation of the first dynasty. Furthermore, any junior who dared raise their hands against their elders would lose their heads. Needless to say, all daughters with bad husbands really had their day during Duan Yang 端阳.
The observance of Duan Yang 端阳 can be traced all the way back to China’s Zhou Dynasty's Spring and Autumn Period 春秋时代(771BC to 475BC). However, the land was separated into many into vassal states at that era, with no unified calendar. Thus, each state observed Duan Yang 端阳 on different days. During the Han Dynasty 汉朝, the land was finally united, and the unified Chinese Lunar Calendar (known as Nong Li 农历) was developed by the order of Emperor Han Wu Di 汉武帝(141BC - 87BC) and Duan Yang 端阳 was set on the 5th day of 5th Month of Nong Li 农历.
Over time, 端阳 developed other aliases such as Wu Yue Wu 五月五 (Fifth Month Fifth Day), and Wu Yue Jie 五月节 (Fifth Month Festival), before finally being popularized as Duan Wu Jie 端午节 as we know it today.
Duan Yang 端阳 was also nicknamed Nu: Er Jie 女儿节, meaning “Daughters’ Day”. Married women would hurriedly return to their Niang Jia 娘家 (their own parents’ home) to help their elders prepare for Duan Yang 端阳 so as to fulfill their role in Xiao Dao 孝道 or Filial Piety.
Married women returning to their Niang Jia 娘家 during Duan Yang 端阳 was also believed to be a “safety measure” for the women’s well-being and their husbands’ work productivity. It was said that if the married women complained to their parents or brothers about their husbands being a sloth (for example, a lazy farmer), a gambler, alcoholic or wife-beater, they would escort the married women back their husbands after Duan Yang 端阳 and Jiao Xun 教训 or "violently educate" their husbands using wooden poles.
The bad husbands could not report to the magistrates after receiving Jiao Xun 教训 from their in-laws, as it was perfectly legal for parents and elders to Jiao Xun 教训 their juniors since the foundation of the first dynasty. Furthermore, any junior who dared raise their hands against their elders would lose their heads. Needless to say, all daughters with bad husbands really had their day during Duan Yang 端阳.
The observance of Duan Yang 端阳 can be traced all the way back to China’s Zhou Dynasty's Spring and Autumn Period 春秋时代(771BC to 475BC). However, the land was separated into many into vassal states at that era, with no unified calendar. Thus, each state observed Duan Yang 端阳 on different days. During the Han Dynasty 汉朝, the land was finally united, and the unified Chinese Lunar Calendar (known as Nong Li 农历) was developed by the order of Emperor Han Wu Di 汉武帝(141BC - 87BC) and Duan Yang 端阳 was set on the 5th day of 5th Month of Nong Li 农历.
Over time, 端阳 developed other aliases such as Wu Yue Wu 五月五 (Fifth Month Fifth Day), and Wu Yue Jie 五月节 (Fifth Month Festival), before finally being popularized as Duan Wu Jie 端午节 as we know it today.
Qu Yuan 屈原 The Patriotic Poet
After the Han Dynasty 汉朝, ancient China (since 184AD) was once again fragmented into many states and fell into nearly 400 years of warfare, till the establishment of the Sui Dynasty 隋朝 in 581AD. It was during this period of warfare that Duan Wu Jie 端午节 was propagated by the states and scholars to serve as a remembrance to the famous Chinese scholar, Qu Yuan 屈原, so as to influence the masses into becoming patriotic citizens who were willing lay their lives for the state.
According the Chinese historical records, Qu Yuan 屈原 (340BC – 278BC) was a patriotic poet and a loyal official of the Chu State 楚国 during China’s Warring States Period 战国时代(476 BC – 221BC). Qu Yuan repeatedly begged his lord, King Qing Xiang 頃襄王 to form an alliance with the Qi State 齐国 to fight against the most powerful Qin State 秦国. However, he was slandered by jealous officials and King Qing Xiang exiled him. During his exile, Qu Yuan wrote a great deal of enduring poems showing his love and passion for the Chu State, such as "Li Sao 离骚" and "Ai Ying 哀郢". In 278BC, the Qin State conquered the Chu State. Witnessing of the defeat of Chu State and the massive death toll, Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Mi Luo River 汨罗江.
According the Chinese historical records, Qu Yuan 屈原 (340BC – 278BC) was a patriotic poet and a loyal official of the Chu State 楚国 during China’s Warring States Period 战国时代(476 BC – 221BC). Qu Yuan repeatedly begged his lord, King Qing Xiang 頃襄王 to form an alliance with the Qi State 齐国 to fight against the most powerful Qin State 秦国. However, he was slandered by jealous officials and King Qing Xiang exiled him. During his exile, Qu Yuan wrote a great deal of enduring poems showing his love and passion for the Chu State, such as "Li Sao 离骚" and "Ai Ying 哀郢". In 278BC, the Qin State conquered the Chu State. Witnessing of the defeat of Chu State and the massive death toll, Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Mi Luo River 汨罗江.
Modern Day Celebration of 端午节 Duan Wu Jie Chinese Dragon Boat Festival
Most Chinese festivals involve gathering an entire family together and feasting upon an array of food, and Duan Wu Jie 端午节 is no exception. Chinese glutinous rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves known as Zhong Zi 粽子 is the special staple eaten on this day. Zhong Zi 粽子 is delicious and has various fillings like sweetened bean paste, pork, dates, mushrooms or salted egg yolks.
During the month of Duan Wu Jie 端午节, Zhong Zi 粽子 can be easily found in all supermarkets in Singapore. However, some Chinese families retain the tradition of making Zhong Zi 粽子, which will then be given to their friends and relatives as festive gifts.
There are many legends surrounding the eating of Zhong Zi 粽子 on Duan Wu Jie 端午节. Legend goes that when Qu Yuan 屈原 drowned himself, fishermen threw rice grains wrapped in bamboo leaves into the Mi Luo River 汨罗江 as a substitute; to prevent fishes from eating his body. This legend is definitely false as food was not in abundance during China’s Warring States Period 战国时代(476 BC – 221BC) as it is today. Throwing rice into the river to save the body of Qu Yuan 屈原 would mean certain starvation for the fishermen and their families during winter.
The Chinese have been known to steam or boil food wrapped in bamboo, lotus and reed leaves long before the Warring States Period 战国时代. Till today, most of the food cooked within leaves are capable of being carried over long distances and still be consumed many hours later. The modern day Zhong Zi 粽子 can be left in room temperature surroundings for over 10 hours without spoiling, and it still can be consumed without reheating.
The consumption of Zhong Zi 粽子 during Duan Wu Jie 端午节 most probably stemmed from ancient Chinese married women returning to their Niang Jia 娘家 with gifts of cooked food wrapped in leaves during Duan Yang 端阳, the predecessor of modern day Duan Wu Jie 端午节.
Dragon boat racing is carried out during Duan Wu Jie 端午节. Traditionally, the dragons boats are narrow boats about 5 - 10 meters with a carved Chinese dragon's head attached to the front of the boat. Two columns of paddlers sit within the boat and they row the dragon boat forward on command from the drummer, who beats on a Chinese war drum at the back of the boat.
Legend holds that the dragon boat race started from fishermen rowing their boats along the Mi Luo River 汨罗江 to look for the body of Qu Yuan 屈原. This legend is also indisputably false, as boat racing existed long before China’s Warring States Period 战国时代. According to historical records, many ancient Chinese dynasties also organized dragon boat racing during the seasons of spring to autumn to entertain the emperors, court officials and masses.
Many historians claimed that the first of the dragons boat races was by the order of the emperors or court officials, as only they had the money and resources to build the dragon boats. Moreover, only the imperial court had the authority to use the dragon icon.
Whichever the origins of dragon boat races may be, dragon boat races of today are international sporting events, with teams participating from all over the world, with no specific period. In Singapore alone, there are thousands of sportsmen participating in the sport of dragon boating.
In rural China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, farmers similar to the ancient Chinese will still clear the possible hiding areas of poisonous creatures in and around their homes on the day of Duan Wu Jie 端午节. The whole family will also bathe in antiseptic warm water soaked with dried Ai Ye 艾叶 (Chinese Mugworts Leaves). After bathing, they will hang the Ai Ye 艾叶 on the gates and the doors. Other than having Zhong Zi 粽子, many families in Northern China will also consume hard-boiled eggs as festive food.
Amongst the Chinese Taoism 道教 and Shenism 民间信仰 believers all over the world, Duan Wu Jie 端午节 has also evolved into a religious festival to honor the House Deity known as Di Ji Zhu 地基主 or Di Zhu Gong 地主公, and they will visit temples on this day to receive blessings.
During the month of Duan Wu Jie 端午节, Zhong Zi 粽子 can be easily found in all supermarkets in Singapore. However, some Chinese families retain the tradition of making Zhong Zi 粽子, which will then be given to their friends and relatives as festive gifts.
There are many legends surrounding the eating of Zhong Zi 粽子 on Duan Wu Jie 端午节. Legend goes that when Qu Yuan 屈原 drowned himself, fishermen threw rice grains wrapped in bamboo leaves into the Mi Luo River 汨罗江 as a substitute; to prevent fishes from eating his body. This legend is definitely false as food was not in abundance during China’s Warring States Period 战国时代(476 BC – 221BC) as it is today. Throwing rice into the river to save the body of Qu Yuan 屈原 would mean certain starvation for the fishermen and their families during winter.
The Chinese have been known to steam or boil food wrapped in bamboo, lotus and reed leaves long before the Warring States Period 战国时代. Till today, most of the food cooked within leaves are capable of being carried over long distances and still be consumed many hours later. The modern day Zhong Zi 粽子 can be left in room temperature surroundings for over 10 hours without spoiling, and it still can be consumed without reheating.
The consumption of Zhong Zi 粽子 during Duan Wu Jie 端午节 most probably stemmed from ancient Chinese married women returning to their Niang Jia 娘家 with gifts of cooked food wrapped in leaves during Duan Yang 端阳, the predecessor of modern day Duan Wu Jie 端午节.
Dragon boat racing is carried out during Duan Wu Jie 端午节. Traditionally, the dragons boats are narrow boats about 5 - 10 meters with a carved Chinese dragon's head attached to the front of the boat. Two columns of paddlers sit within the boat and they row the dragon boat forward on command from the drummer, who beats on a Chinese war drum at the back of the boat.
Legend holds that the dragon boat race started from fishermen rowing their boats along the Mi Luo River 汨罗江 to look for the body of Qu Yuan 屈原. This legend is also indisputably false, as boat racing existed long before China’s Warring States Period 战国时代. According to historical records, many ancient Chinese dynasties also organized dragon boat racing during the seasons of spring to autumn to entertain the emperors, court officials and masses.
Many historians claimed that the first of the dragons boat races was by the order of the emperors or court officials, as only they had the money and resources to build the dragon boats. Moreover, only the imperial court had the authority to use the dragon icon.
Whichever the origins of dragon boat races may be, dragon boat races of today are international sporting events, with teams participating from all over the world, with no specific period. In Singapore alone, there are thousands of sportsmen participating in the sport of dragon boating.
In rural China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, farmers similar to the ancient Chinese will still clear the possible hiding areas of poisonous creatures in and around their homes on the day of Duan Wu Jie 端午节. The whole family will also bathe in antiseptic warm water soaked with dried Ai Ye 艾叶 (Chinese Mugworts Leaves). After bathing, they will hang the Ai Ye 艾叶 on the gates and the doors. Other than having Zhong Zi 粽子, many families in Northern China will also consume hard-boiled eggs as festive food.
Amongst the Chinese Taoism 道教 and Shenism 民间信仰 believers all over the world, Duan Wu Jie 端午节 has also evolved into a religious festival to honor the House Deity known as Di Ji Zhu 地基主 or Di Zhu Gong 地主公, and they will visit temples on this day to receive blessings.