TheDragonBoat（中英双语端午节的由来）

The Dragon Boat Festival the 5th day of the 5th lunar month has had a history of more than 2 000 years.

端午节(农历五月初五)是中国古老的传统节日，至今已有两千多年的历史。

There are many legends about the evolution of the festival the most popular of which is incommemoration of Qu Yuan (340-278 BC).

关于端午节的由来有很多传说，其中最流行的是纪念屈原一说(公元前340-278年)。

In 278 BC he heard the news that Qin troops had finally conquered Chu's capital so he finished his last piece Huai Sha (Embracing Sand) and plunged himself into the Miluo River clasping his arms to a large stone.

公元前278年，屈原听说秦国军队终于攻占了楚国的首都，于是他写完了最后一篇《怀沙》，抱着一块大石头跳入汨罗江。

The day happened to be the 5th of the 5th month in the Chinese lunar calendar.

这一天恰巧是中国农历五月初五。

——

After his death the people of Chu crowded to the bank of the river to pay their respects to him.

传说屈原死后，楚国百姓纷纷涌到汨罗江边去凭吊屈原。

The fishermen sailed their boats up and down the river to look for his body.

渔夫们划起船只，在江上来回打捞他的真身。

People threw into the water zongzi (pyramid-shaped glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in reed or bamboo leaves) and eggs to divert possible fish or shrimpfrom attacking his body.

人们把粽子(用芦苇或竹叶包裹的金字塔形状的糯米包)和鸡蛋扔进水里，说是让鱼龙虾蟹吃饱了，就不会去咬屈大夫的身体了。

端午节之吃粽子

Zongzi is an essential food of the Dragon Boat Festival.

粽子是端午节必不可少的食物。

In earlytimes it was only glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in reed or other plant leaves and tiedwith colored thread，but now the fillings are more diversified including jujube and bean paste fresh meat and ham and egg yolk.

在早期，粽子只是用芦苇或其他植物的叶子包着糯米团，用线绑着，现在馅料更加多样化，包括红枣和豆沙、鲜肉、火腿和蛋黄。

If time permits people will soak glutinous rice wash reedleaves and wrap up zongzi themselves. Otherwise they will go to shops to buy whatever stuffthey want.

如果时间允许，人们会自己泡糯米，洗芦苇叶，包粽子。否则，就会去商店买任何他们想要的品种。

端午节佩戴香包

On Dragon Boat Festival parents also need to dress their children up with a sachet.

在端午节那天，父母还会给孩子们准备香囊。

They first sew little bags with colorful silk cloth then fill the bags with perfumes or herbal medicines（草药） and finally string them with silk threads.

他们先要用丝绸缝制一个小袋子 然后在里面装上香料或者草药(草药) 最后用丝线穿起来。

The sachet will be hung around the neck or tied to the front of a garment as an ornament. They are said to be able to ward off evil.

香囊会挂在脖子上，或者绑在衣服的前面作为装饰，据说能辟邪。

端午节习俗之赛龙舟

Dragon boat racing is an indispensable part of the festival held all over the country.

赛龙舟是端午节不可缺少的一部分，在全国各地举行。

As the gun is fired people will see racers in dragon-shaped canoes pulling the oars harmoniously and hurriedly

accompanied by rapid drums speeding toward their bourn.

枪声响起，赛手们划着龙形的独木舟，有节奏的滑动船桨，伴随着快速的鼓声，向目的地疾驰而去。

Folk tales say the game originates from the activities of seeking Qu Yuan's body.

相传这活动起源于古时楚国划船寻找投江的屈原。

重点词汇

sachet香囊

sticky rice 糯米

realgar wine雄黄酒

lunar calendar 农历

keep up the tradition 保留传统

dragon boat race 赛龙舟

wrapped in leaves 包在叶子里

Dragon Boat Festival 端午节

to commemorate Qu Yuan 纪念屈原