[Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The origin of the Dragon Boat Festival does not trace back to a single, clearly defined location. Instead, it's linked to multiple regions across many cultural influences. Its birthplace remains widely debated. One prominent view holds that it has strong roots in the ancient state of Chu, which spanned a large area in southern China, including present-day Hubei and Hunan provinces.

Qu Yuan (340-278 BC), a patriotic poet and statesman of the Chu state, is closely associated with the festival. According to legend, after he drowned himself in the Miluo River, locals rushed to save him by rowing boats and throwing rice balls into the river to prevent fish from harming his body. These actions gradually evolved into the traditions of dragon boat racing and eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) during the festival.

However, some also believe that it originated from ancient dragon totem worship among communities living in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, as well as in regions further south.

Reviewer1: Huang Mengyao

Reviewer2: Zhang Yanlan

Reviewer3: Tang Caihong

English Reviewer: Shen Fei