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[gochuugoku]

[China's all smiles as he gives a wave.]

Nihao! It has come to my attention that this year, or rather, in the year of 2012, the date for the Dragon Boat Festival is June twenty-third.

Activities for the Dragon Boat Festival include eating zongzi, drinking realgar wine, and racing dragon boats. There is also a game where one tries to make an egg stand at exactly noon, and if you succeed you will have luck for the next year.

I would like to bring this traditional Chinese holiday to Fortuna, especially the boat races if it is safe to go rowing on the lake, aru. Then of course I will prepare plenty of zongzi for others to eat.

Comments

[crackpotcrocker]

Mmmm, what happens when you don't get the egg to stand at exactly noon?

[gochuugoku]

You do not achieve good luck for the rest of the year then. No one says that you will get bad luck if you don't succeed.

You should come, Denzel. The food will be delicious~

[crackpotcrocker]

No?! That's interesting, yes.

I wonder if I should try... Though with my luck -

...So?

[gochuugoku]

You should, everyone has a fair chance in that game, aru.

Hm? [He tilts his head.] So what?

[crackpotcrocker]

I suppose.
EXACTLY!.... I'm not big on food.

[gochuugoku]

Eh? Why not? ...Unless all you've eaten is English food, then I can understand why.

[crackpotcrocker]

Well, yes but that's besides the point. Even English food, I'm not so 'into'. ^{Just eat because I have too.}

So, what exactly is this Dragon Boat Festival, all about?

[gochuugoku]

Well, the festival is believed to have originated in ancient China. There are many myths that talk of the festival's origins, but the most famous myth is the one about Qu Yuan, a poet who lived during my country's Warring States Period, which also happens to be part of my childhood.

Qu Yuan was from the ancient Chinese state of Chu and held a high social status. However, he was accused of treason for opposing the new alliance between the states of Chu and Qin, and was banished. During his exile, Qu Yuan wrote much poetry, which is what makes him famous today. Unfortunately, he committed suicide by throwing himself into a river after learning Qin had conquered the capital of Chu.

It's said that the local people who admired him threw rice triangles into the river he drowned himself in, so he would have some food in the afterlife. They wrapped these rice triangles in bamboo or reed leaves so the fish wouldn't eat the rice meant for Qu Yuan. That's how we came across zongzi. It's also said that the people would paddle out on the river to scare the fish away, or to retrieve Qu Yuan's body, and it is from that belief where the dragon boat races originate from.

sorry for the late!

[crackpotcrocker]

Afterlife?

Mmmm... Interesting festival origin, though not a particularly cheeful one. I like, yes.

No worries!

[gochuugoku]

It is interesting how some festivals' origins are dark.

[crackpotcrocker]

Indeed. Well, I for one am interested in attending.