The Chinese Dragon Boat Festival: Customs and Traditions (Part Two of Two)

Following the legend of Qu Yuan, the famous Chinese man who wrote of his love for his country even after being exiled, the holiday known as the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival was created. It has been celebrated annually for over 2,000 years on the fifth day of the fifth month on the lunar calendar, to honor and pay respect to the historic poet for his unwavering patriotism.  

The customs and traditions surrounding this culturally significant holiday are still very much alive today. One of the most popular and loved traditions of this day can be found within the name of the festival itself- Dragon boat racing. 

Dragon boats get their name from the fore and stern being designed in the shape of a traditional Chinese dragon. The race originated after the part in the Qu Yuan legend where the people of the village raced in their boats to save him after he drowned himself in the river. The rowers race to the finish line while one team member sits at the front of the boat and beats a drum, an action thought to preserve morale and keep the rowers in sync with one another. The team that wins is to bring a happy life to the people of their village. 

Like most other Chinese festivals and holidays, a particular food is often consumed by the people on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival. For this festival, the food of choice is Zongzi, a pyramid-shaped glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves. Often times, part of the holiday tradition includes not just the family's consumption of the special Zongzi, but also the preparation. 

Besides honoring the great Qu Yuan, another reason behind the celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival is the warding off of diseases and promotion of good health. So the high popularity of the next custom comes as no surprise. On the day of the festival, the Chinese people will clean their houses and then proceed to put mugwort leaves and calamus on the tops of all the doors in the house. The story behind these plants are that the discharge an aroma that will repel bugs and purify the home, thus preventing certain illnesses that often come with warm weather. 

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Another technique on this day purposed at promoting good health and healing is for children to wear five-color silk thread around their wrists, ankles, and neck. The thread is thought to hold special healing properties and protect the children from disease. It is only after the first rain of the summer that they are allowed to remove the thread and throw it into the nearest river. 

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The Chinese Dragon Boat Festival: The Legend Behind the Festival (Part One of Two)

Today, one of the most exciting Chinese festivals has finally arrived- The Chinese Dragon Boat Festival! This festival has been celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar for over 2,000 years and is held dear to the Chinese for its cultural as well as educational significance. 

The festival's purpose is for the people of China to dispel and ward off diseases, but it also circulates heavily around the legend of the great Chinese poet, Qu Yuan. 

During the Warring States Period, Qu Yuan acted as a minister in the State of Chu. After standing by his decision to fight against the state of Qin, which, at the time, was an extremely powerful state, he was ultimately exiled by the King. 

Despite this, Qu Yuan remained loyal and loving towards his country. To demonstrate this, he began to write poetry honoring famous individuals and passionately describing Chinese culture and tradition. 

This act of patriotism made him into a well-respected Chinese poet in the eyes of the people of China, a title that lasted throughout Chinese history. 

The legend does not end there. After concluding his last masterpiece, Huai Sha, he proceeded to drown himself in the river rather than have to stand by and see his country conquered by the State of Qin. 

The local people were so distressed by this news, that they rushed to the river and threw food into it to deter the fish and animals from Qu Yuan's body. This tradition still remains alive on the day of Qu Yuan's death, which legend says is the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese Lunar Calendar. 

The Last Victim of the Boston Marathon Explosion is Released From Hospital

As of today, the last victim of the Boston Marathon Explosion has been released from the hospital. 29-year-old school teacher, Erika Brannock, attended the marathon, along with her sister and brother-in-law, to cheer on her mother, Carol Downing. As Brannock waited near the finish line to congratulate her mother, they were hit with the explosion that injured 264 people. 

She tells reporters that she remembers the entire terrifying event, describing how her sister pushed her forward just before everything went silent. After she came to, she could hear the screams of her sister, who was reported in critical condition. 

As a result of Brannock's extensive injuries, she lost her a large portion of her lower left leg. Doctors kept her in the hospital for a longer period of time in an attempt to save her right leg, so it would not have the same fate as her left. 

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Luckily, their decision to keep her longer proved to be the right one and doctors were able to salvage her right leg. Finally, after nearly two months, she was released from the hospital this afternoon and able to return to family and friends, who eagerly awaited her arrival. 

When speaking to reporters, Brannock tells them, "there are going to be a lot of adjustments. I am going to have to learn to walk again. I am going to have to learn to change a lot of things in my life and be more patient with myself."

Brannock's courage, strength, and determination is truly inspiring. Even when faced with a terrible tragedy, she is able to find hope and persevere. Along, with her family and friends, doctors and staff of the hospital also provided incredible support for Brannock, as well as the public. A fund has even been created in order to help pay for her medical bills. 

New in K-Pop: Yesung Updates His Fans and Psy Brings Down the House In Italy With His New Hit, "Gentleman"

Kim Jong-woon, better know by his stage name Yesung, has recently posted on his Twitter page updating eager fans on his wellbeing while he's away. The member of K-pop boy band Super Junior, enlisted in the military and  left for basic training May 6th. 

The 28-year-old artist will remain there for the 4-week training period and then go on to carry out the full 23 months as a public service officer. 

Yesung has been greatly missed by his fans, and knowing this, he released a statement via Twitter assuring them he is doing well and watching over them.

In addition, he posted two pictures, each with a similar pose- but in one he has his normal pre-training haircut and in the next he is sporting a shaved head! 

Once again, Psy captivated the crowd with his unique beats and ridiculous dance moves, but this time not to our beloved "Gangnam Style" but to a new song.

Appeared on 'The Voice Italy', Psy brought his signature moves and clothing style to the Italian's attention- who welcomed him with open arms, despite a recent, not so positive response during a soccer match in Italy. 

He concluded the final episode to the popular show by performing his new track "Gentleman". To say the judges and crowd enjoyed the performance would be an understatement.

After only a few minutes, Psy had transformed the room into what could only be called a party, with the entire crowd up on their feet and dancing along. There can be no doubts that this artist definitely knows how to party!

Click below to watch Psy's performance of "Gentleman" on 'The Voice Italy"!

Golden Week Concludes with Children's Day

Golden Week in Japan is concluded with the national holiday known as Children's Day! This is a day dedicated to the celebration of the healthy growth and happiness of children by their families. 

It became a national holiday in 1948, but has been celebrated by families in Japan since ancient times. It is suspected that the celebrations began during the reign of Empress Suiko, who ruled from 593-628 A.D. It became assigned to the 5th day of the 5th month after the Nara period. 

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Traditionally, the 5th of May was called Tango no Sekku and was a festival exclusively for boys, while the third day of the third month was reserved for girls. It has since been changed so May 5th includes both boys and girls. 

On Children's Day, families with children fly carp-shaped steamers outside the house and display dolls of famous warriors inside. Families also often take baths sprinkled with iris leaves and roots. The iris is thought to promote good health and ward off evil. It is also traditional to eat rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves and filled with sweet bean paste, called kashiwamochi. 

Each year, there are many events to highlight and celebrate children on this day. Kyogen, a type of comic theater, was founded around 600 years ago and is performed with traditional costumes and distinctive styles of acting.

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One year, at the Yokohama Noh Theater, a kyogen recital was held featuring 18 actors between the ages of seven and thirteen. The kids had attended practices one or twice a week since the previous summer to learn the unique comic expressions, movements, and uses of the fan. The theater was packed with friends and parents, both entertained and impressed by the children's performances. 

This national holiday, celebrating children around Japan, is the perfect way to end the week of celebrations and festivities known as Golden Week! 

Golden Week Celebrations Continue with Greenery Day

The celebrations are still going strong through Japan as Golden Week welcomes its third annual holiday; Greenery Day. Originally, Greenery Day was the replacement holiday for the birthday of Emperor Showa after he passed away in 1989. 

The holiday was named Greenery Day because of the Emperor's great love and appreciation for nature.

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In 2007, April 29th was changed to Showa Day and May 4th became the holiday to celebrate all things green. 

To honor this holiday, people are encouraged to get outside and surround themselves with nature. This includes walks through the country's breathtaking parks and outdoor family gatherings and picnics. Annual tree plantings are held across the country and people come together to get their hands dirty for a good cause- restoring the beauty in our environment!

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Constitution Memorial Day: The Second Celebration of Japan's Golden Week

The second holiday in the collection of Japanese holidays, known as Golden Week, has officially begun! Today, May 3rd, is known throughout all of Japan as Constitution Memorial Day. 

The purpose of this national celebration is to acknowledge the promulgation of the Constitution of Japan, which came into effect on May 3, 1947. This day asks Japanese citizens to reflect on democracy and the Japanese government. 

Countless ceremonies throughout the country mark the importance of this day. In addition to participating in the ceremonies, thousands of people attend lectures on the role the constitution has played within the government over the course of the last fifty years. 

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In special celebration of this day, The Diet building is even opened to visitors. So many families will set aside some time on this day to explore the halls that are usually off-limits to them. 

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