Why do we eat zongzi on Dragon Boat Festival

Wishing everyone a happy, safe and healthy Dragon Boat Festival.

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival, is one of the important festivals in traditional Chinese culture, as well as a commemoration and inheritance. Eating Zongzi, as an important custom, not only carries the memory of history, but also conveys people's wishes for a better life.

It began during the Warring States period. According to legend, the Dragon Boat Festival was established in memory of the patriotic poet Qu Yuan in ancient China. Qu Yuan was a loyal minister of the State of Chu during the Warring States period. Due to dissatisfaction with the policies of King Huai of Chu, he threw himself into the river in protest and died on May 5th. In order to prevent aquatic organisms such as fish and shrimp from eating Qu Yuan's body, people rowed boats to scatter rice dumplings, put Rice noodles and other food, and later gradually evolved into dragon boat races, eating Zongzi and other activities.

Why should we eat Zongzi on Dragon Boat Festival? This is related to the story of Qu Yuan. It is said that in order to prevent fish and shrimp from eating Qu Yuan's body, local people have wrapped Rice noodles in bamboo leaves to make Zongzi and throw it into the river to prevent fish and shrimp from eroding. Gradually, this custom has evolved into the tradition of eating Zongzi. In addition, eating Zongzi on the Dragon Boat Festival also means exorcising evil spirits and avoiding disasters and praying for peace. People believe that eating Zongzi can eliminate disasters and relieve disasters and pray for peace.