Qu Yuan’s suicide is only one of the explanations that have been advanced, however. In line with this explanation, racing dragon boats mimics the actions of the villagers who rowed out into the river to try to save their beloved poet. The story of Qu Yuan’s suicide is often used to explain the dragon boat racing tradition. It's possible that the practice of dragon boat racing started out as a way to worship an ancient dragon god. People in certain regions of China believed that during this month, the dreaded five poisonous animals (五毒, wǔdú), started to come out of their winter hiding places. Traditionally, the fifth lunar month was considered to be an unlucky time. As noted above, the Dragon Boat Festival is also called the Double Fifth Festival because it falls on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. Avoiding bad luck in the fifth monthĪnother possible explanation for the origins of the festival is linked to superstitions surrounding the date on which it falls. Unable to find him and worried that fish would eat his body, they threw balls of sticky rice into the river in hopes that the fish would choose the rice over Qu Yuan. Legend has it that when they realized he was attempting to drown himself, the citizenry rushed in boats to the middle of the river in an attempt to save him or at least retrieve his body. Boise will feature the Water Lantern Festival on August 19.Qu Yuan remains a popular figure in modern China.ĭuring his time in exile, Qu Yuan had become quite popular with the local people. The festival will return to Idaho Falls next year. The company has hundreds of events nationwide in the summer. Multiple event coordinators will go out and do them.” Wasden said. “We usually have four to five events per weekend. This event takes place not just in Idaho but all around the country. “I always think one of the coolest parts of the event is hearing people’s stories.” “It’s always touching and heartwarming when people go up there remembering passed loved ones or sharing stories of friendship or relationships,” Buchanan said. People had the opportunity to go up to the stage and share why they were there. “Our job is to create a fun outdoor evening for people to come out, connect with others and enjoy life,” said Logan Buchanan, one of the Water Lantern Festival’s staff. The company aims to bring joy, happiness and light to people. There was also a stage for people who wanted to share their stories behind their lanterns - about people they missed and their new goals for life. There were food trucks and booths for local businesses. “It just tries to support the local community and roots and everything,” Wasden said. Wasden also explained that they had local performers to play acoustic music and local food trucks that the company wanted to support. “It is an event for people to feel good,” Wasden said. Jonah Wasden, the event coordinator, explained that the big goal for the event was to get people into the mind-space of what to be thankful for and what to let go. The lanterns were built from wood and rice paper to be as environmentally friendly as possible. Trash that may have previously been in or near the water is also picked up. After the event, all lanterns were cleaned up. People decorated their lanterns and placed them in the river.
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