Li Sao Poem about Dragon Boat Festival
Dragon Boat Festival is coming. Do yo know the origins of the Dragon Boat Festival, the tradition of Dragon Boat Festival and the poem of Dragon Boat Festival?
The origins of the Dragon Boat Festival can be found in several stories. The most famous are about Qu Yuan, China’s first patriotic writer and Wu Zixu, a once-loyal advisor to the King Fuchai.
Before Qu Yuan waded in the Miluo River and drowned himself, he wrote a famous lyrical poem 离骚 Li Sao (“Sorrow in Estrangement”).
杂申椒与菌桂兮,岂维纫夫蕙芷!
路漫漫其修远兮,吾将上下而求索。
长太息以掩涕兮,哀民生之多艰。
亦余心之所善兮,虽九死其犹未悔。
日月忽其不淹兮,春与秋其代序。
Everyone knows holidays are more than just legends and poems. Eating Zong Zi is a must for Dragon Boat Festival. Buy them at any grocery store or even try making them yourself . Oh and realgar wine (雄黄酒 xióng huáng jiǔ) goes down nicely with Zong Zi. Traditionally the wine is poured into the river to call a dragon to protect Qu Yuan’s body. Nowadays, people believe drinking the wine can strengthen their bodies and repell insects. Adults even smear realgar wine on children’s hands, feet, ears to protect them from bugs.
Key words:
雄黄酒 xióng huáng jiǔ:realgar wine;
离骚 lí sāo :lyrical poem Li Sao (“Sorrow in Estrangement”)