Why do we eat zongzi on Dragon Boat Festival?

The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese festival that is usually celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. There are many traditional sayings about why you should eat zongzi, and here are a few of the common explanations:

Commemoration of Qu Yuan:

The most widely accepted theory is that zongzi was eaten in honor of Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet in ancient China. It is rumored that Qu Yuan was a minister and poet of Chu during the Warring States Period, who was treated unfairly because of his loyalty to the country, and eventually committed suicide by throwing himself into the river to express his anxiety and helplessness for the country. In order to prevent fish and shrimp from eating Qu Yuan's corpse, people threw various foods into the river, including glutinous rice wrapped in dumpling leaves. Later, this custom gradually evolved into the tradition of eating zongzi.

Ward off evil spirits and avoid epidemics:

Another theory is that the fifth day of the fifth month of May is the time when yang energy is at its peak, and this time coincides with the most rampant viruses and evil spirits. Folks believe that eating zongzi can drive away evil spirits and avoid epidemics and protect the body from diseases. Because of the special aroma of the outer layer of zongzi leaves, zongzi is believed to have the effect of warding off evil spirits.

Avoid spoilage:

The fifth day of May is also the time when the weather gets hotter, which can easily lead to food spoilage. Traditional zongzi is made by wrapping glutinous rice and various fillings in zongzi leaves and then boiling or steaming them. This wrapping and cooking method ensures that the rice dumplings stay fresh for a longer time in the outdoor environment and avoid food spoilage.

In general, eating zongzi has become one of the important customs of the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival. Whether it's to commemorate Qu Yuan, ward off evil spirits or avoid corruption, eating zongzi is a way for people to reunite, celebrate, and pray for blessings during this festival. Zongzi has a variety of different tastes and practices in different regions and families, and is an indispensable part of traditional Chinese culture.