The poet, zongzi, and a race for life and death

What comes to mind when you think of the Dragon Boat Festival? Dragon boat races? A summer holiday with ancient traditions? Behind the festive facade lies a story far more poignant — a tale of a poet who chose death over dishonor, and a community that rowed against the current, trying to save him.

In this episode, we delve into the deeper meanings of the Dragon Boat Festival by following the footsteps of Qu Yuan, a loyal minister and gifted poet from over 2,000 years ago. Here's what we explore: Who was Qu Yuan, and why did he choose to end his life in the Miluo River? Why were dragon boats originally raced — not for sport — but to rescue a drowning man? How did sticky rice dumplings (zongzi) become offerings to the fish, and later, a national treat? And how did a moment of collective grief become a national festival?

The Dragon Boat Festival isn't just a cultural ritual — it's a mirror reflecting our timeless struggles: the battle between integrity and compromise, between idealism and reality.

Through the beat of drums and splashes of paddles, let's revisit an ancient act of defiance and the echoes of a poem that still speaks to us today.

Click to listen, and rediscover a festival you thought you knew.