Li Sao (The Lament)¹
Forward and back I hastened in my quest,
Followed the former kings, and took no rest.
The prince my true integrity defamed,
Gave ear to slander, high his anger flamed;
Integrity I knew could not avail,
Yet still endured; my lord I would not fail.
Celestial spheres my witness be on high,
I strove but for his sacred majesty.
Twas first to me he gave his plighted word,
But soon repenting other counsel heard.
For me departure could arouse no pain;
I grieved to see his royal purpose vain.

Drums pound. Crowds cheer. Paddles heave and ho. Long, brightly colored boats race on rivers and lakes across China. Their prows are carved into fierce dragon heads. It is Duan Wu or Dragon Boat Festival!

During Duan Wu, people celebrate the famous poet Qu Yuan , who lived from about 340 BCE - 278 BCE. An advisor to the king of Chu during the Warring States period, Qu Yuan cautioned the king that the neighboring state of Qin posed a serious threat. But jealous rivals at court turned the king against Qu Yuan. The king not only ignored his advice; he banished Qu Yuan. In despair, Qu Yuan wandered the marshes of Lake Dongting. He poured his sadness into poems that are some of the greatest in Chinese literature. Upon learning that the capital of Chu had fallen to the state of Qin as he had warned, Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River.

Moved by his loyalty, the local people paddled their long boats onto the river. They scared away the fish with drums and threw rice balls in the water as an offering to Qu Yuan’s spirit. Legend says that the spirit of Qu Yuan came to the paddlers. He complained that a river dragon was eating his rice balls! From that time on, the villagers wrapped the rice balls in brightly colored silk to fool the dragon. Now, rice balls are wrapped in bamboo leaves and they are called zongzi. They are a popular snack during Duan Wu.

Today, people celebrate the “double five” holiday on the fifth day of the fifth moon. They remember Qu Yuan’s unbendable spirit through dragon boat races. A drummer heads the boats and keeps time for the paddlers. Another person stands at the stern and steers the boat with the rudder. Dragon Boat races are held throughout China and the world in cities like Singapore; Auckland, New Zealand; Ottawa, Canada; Washington D.C.; Boston, Massachusetts; and Portland, Oregon.