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 Duan Wu Jie is a day to commemorate the Chinese patriot
and poet, Qu Yuan. Falling on the 5th day
of the fifth lunar month, it is a day to remind oneself of
one's duties and obligations to the nation.
Other than eating rice dumplings and participating in
dragon boat races for fun and joys, this occasion ought to
be used to honor past national patriots who have been
loyal and commitment towards the community.
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Origins
During the riotous period of the Warring States, there
lived a wise man called ‘Qu Yuan’ (340 - 278 B.C.).
He served in the official kingdom of Chu. Evil court
official, being antagonized by ‘Qu Yuan's capabilities,
influenced the weak-minded emperor to dismiss and exile
him.
For the following 20 years, Qu Yuan traveled extensively
and composed verses about his thoughts and things that he
saw. When the Qin Kingdom gradually occupied the
land of Chu, ‘Qu Yuan’ was totally disheartened.
Finally, being overwhelmed by misery, Qu Yuan clasped a
stone to his chest and plunged into the Mi Luo River (in
Hunan province) on the fifth day of the fifth month.
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