Duanwu Festival - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/Fileragonboat_racing.jpg" class="image"><img alt="Dragonboat racing.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Dragonboat_racing.jpg/260px-Dragonboat_racing.jpg"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/e/ec/Dragonboat_racing.jpg/260px-Dragonboat_racing.jpg
^ thanks .. ok .. i read it but one more thing i don't understand .. why do my friends' families also prayed to the Gods and their own ancestors????
To my knowledge someone opposed someone, then he got thrown into the river. Then people made those rice dumplings thing and threw them into the river from their dragonboat hoping the fishes will eat the dumplings instead of that guy. Not to worry I'll direct Ralph into this thread.
LOL... I remember learning this as a kid, but only vaguely remember it as the story of a Warring States dynastic personality, Qu Yuan 屈原. He was a beloved Chu Kingdom hero that was framed before the Chu king and cast out. Upon learning that the Qin conquered Chu, and despairing for his lost kingdom, he committed ritual suicide by jumping into a river. And, like you stated, the rice and paddle boats were sent by loyal followers to distract fishes from consuming his body. Qu Yuan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:%E5%B1%88%E5%8E%9F.jpg" class="image" title="Qu Yuan"><img alt="Qu Yuan" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/%E5%B1%88%E5%8E%9F.jpg/200px-%E5%B1%88%E5%8E%9F.jpg"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/1/12/%E5%B1%88%E5%8E%9F.jpg/200px-%E5%B1%88%E5%8E%9F.jpg According to wiki, there are several versions, but all of which tell the same basic story with slight variations.
my favorite rice dumpling "jong" is from guangdong area. the other ones made else where doesn't taste as good imo.
Ancestor worshipping is one of the ritual practices that can take place during Duanwu Jie. It is based on the belief that deceased family members have a continued existence and are able to influence the fortune of the living. Worshipping and bringing offerings is for the ancestors' welfare/well-being and personal fortune (or it's just to pay respects depending on whether they believe it or not). Don't quote me on that though.
^ thks .. I was confused but I guess it's an option .. not a must do thing. In my culture .. the only time we worship our ancestor is Lunar New Year and Memorial day.
