My American friends' first impressions on Dragon Boat Festival
美国友友的端午初印象
The Dragon Boat Festival, one of China's traditional festivals, is just around the corner. Also known as Double Fifth Festival, the holiday which falls on June 10 this year, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar. This festival not only has a long history but also carries rich cultural connotations, and its diverse customs have attracted many international friends.
端午节，是中国传统节日之一，也称为重五节，每年农历五月初五庆祝，今年6月10日为端午节。这一节日不仅有着悠久的历史，更承载了丰富的文化内涵，其丰富多彩的习俗吸引了众多国际友人细细品味。
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Dragon boat racing is one of the iconic activities of the Dragon Boat Festival. Legend has it that when Qu Yuan drowned himself in the river, people rowed boats to rescue him, which later evolved into the tradition of dragon boat racing. Dragon boat racing is a challenging and team-oriented sport, as well as a traditional ritual of blessing, symbolizing unity, courage, and strength. Whether watching or participating in dragon boat races, one can feel the unity and bravery of the Chinese people.
赛龙舟是端午节的标志性活动之一。传说在屈原投江自尽时，人们划船捞救，后来演变成了划龙舟的传统。赛龙舟是一项富有挑战性和团队精神的体育活动，也是一种传统的祈福仪式，寓意着团结、勇气和力量。无论是观看还是参与赛龙舟比赛，都能感受到中国人民的团结和勇敢。
Zongzi, an indispensable food during the Dragon Boat Festival, is made primarily from glutinous rice wrapped around fillings such as beans, meat, or other ingredients, then wrapped in bamboo leaves or other materials, tied with strings, and steamed or boiled. Tasting zongzi is not only a pleasure but also an opportunity to understand Chinese traditional culture. It is said that eating zongzi commemorates the death of Qu Yuan and prevents Qu Yuan's body from being eaten by fish and shrimp, thus becoming an indispensable part of the Dragon Boat Festival.
粽子是端午节不可或缺的食品。粽子以糯米为主料，包裹着豆类、肉类或其他馅料，再以竹叶等包裹，用绳子系好，再蒸或煮而成。品尝粽子不仅是一种享受，更是对中国传统文化的一种了解。据说，吃粽子是为了纪念屈原，并避免他的尸体被鱼虾咬食，因此成为端午节不可或缺的一部分。
Additionally, the Dragon Boat Festival also features other traditional customs such as hanging calamus, inserting mugwort, and avoiding the "Five Poisons". It is said that on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, people hang mugwort and calamus leaves, and also write the characters for "Five Poisons"on their doors or windows, such as snakes, scorpions, centipedes, spiders, and geckos, to ward off evil, praying for peace and health. These traditional customs not only add to the festive atmosphere but also inherit the traditional culture of the Chinese nation.
此外，端午节还有其他的传统习俗，比如挂菖蒲、插艾草、避五毒等。据说，在端午节这一天，人们会挂艾草、菖蒲等草药，同时也会在门口或窗户上写上“五毒”字样，如蛇、蝎、蜈蚣、蜘蛛、壁虎，以此来驱邪避毒，祈求平安健康。这些传统习俗不仅增添了节日的氛围，更传承了中华民族的优秀传统文化。
The Dragon Boat Festival is approaching. How do American friends understand the customs of the Dragon Boat Festival? Let's hear the first impressions of this festival from American friends and experience the cultural resonance that transcends national boundaries.
2024年端午节即将到来，美国朋友如何理解端午节习俗？一起来听听美国友友的端午节初印象，感受这份跨越国界的文化共鸣。(周金淼）