The most popular among the people is to commemorate Qu Yuan. In addition, there are four legends to commemorate Wu Zixu, the filial daughter Cao E. Totem sacrifice originated from an ancient nation.
To commemorate Qu Yuan
According to Historical Records, Qu Yuan was a minister around Chu Huaiwang. He is the son of a noble, praising the selection of talents and promoting the alliance against Qin. Later, due to the calculation of the villain, he was exiled to a remote area by Chu Huaiwang Academy. During his exile, he wrote many immortal poems, and his style was unique, which made him have a far-reaching influence in the people's minds.
In 278 BC, when Chu was destroyed, Qu Yuan learned that his motherland was occupied by the enemy. He wrote his last words, threw a boulder into the Miluo River, and wrote a magnificent movement with his own life. It is said that after the death of Qu Yuan, the people of Chu all went to the Miluo River to remember Qu Yuan. Later, people were afraid that the fish in the river would harm Qu Yuan's health, so they threw their rice balls and steamed buns into the river.
In memory of Wu Zixu
There is another legend about the Dragon Boat Festival in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. It is said that the Dragon Boat Festival was originally used to commemorate Wu Zixu in the Spring and Autumn Period. Wu Zixu is from the State of Chu. As all his family members were killed by the King of Chu, Wu Zixu went to the State of Wu to help him conquer the State of Chu.
Wu Zixu is a loyal gentleman. He wanted the State of Wu to wipe out Yue completely, but Fu Cha didn't listen to his advice. A general of the State of Wu was bribed by Yue, who slandered Fu Cha and framed Wu Zixu. In a rage, Fu Cha sentenced Wu Zixu to death. Before he died, Wu Zixu, who was worse than death, told his neighbors that he would dig out his eyes and hang them on the East Gate of the State of Wu after his death, and watch the Vietnamese army enter the customs to destroy Wu. Then he cut himself with a knife. Fu Cha was furious and put Wu Zixu's bones in a leather bag and threw them into the river. As the day when he committed suicide was the fifth day of May, people also used the Dragon Boat Festival to commemorate Wu Zixu, a brave, capable and virtuous minister.
In memory of Cao E
The third legend about Dragon Boat Festival is to commemorate Cao E, a very filial woman in the Eastern Han Dynasty. Cao E was a native of Shangyu in the Eastern Han Dynasty. Because her father drowned in the river when he was out, Cao E went to the river to look for him, but she hadn't seen her father for several days. She has been crying on the river, and there is still no news after more than ten days. Cao E, who was only 14 years old at that time, also threw himself into the river on the fifth day of May, and took his father out of the river before he died, which became a myth.
It is said that after the county government knew this, it set up a monument for Cao E as an example for future generations to learn and praise her. Cao E's tomb is located in Shaoxing, Zhejiang. According to legend, Cao E's inscription was written by the King of Jin. Later generations built a temple for Cao E where she threw herself into the river to commemorate her filial piety. The village where she lived has now been changed to Cao E Town.
Sacrificial activities of ancient ethnic minorities
Although most people think that the Dragon Boat Festival happened after Qu Yuan threw himself into the river, in fact, Qu Yuan also celebrated the Dragon Boat Festival at that time. From the cultural relics unearthed in modern times and a lot of archaeological research, it is proved that there was a tribe called Baiyue in the Neolithic Age. They have the custom of tattooing continuously and claim to be descendants of dragons, but they like to eat food wrapped in leaves every day. According to experts, this is a tribe that worships dragon totems very much.
At that time, they had produced a large number of stone tools and a small number of bronzes. All kinds of bottles and jars in life are also one of the unique customs of their tribe. Until the Qin and Han dynasties, this group of Baiyue people still began to worship their ancestors on the Dragon Boat Festival. After thousands of years of historical development, the Dragon Boat Festival has gradually become a traditional custom of the Han people, and the habit of Baiyue people eating food wrapped in leaves has also become one of the characteristics of the Dragon Boat Festival.