【外刊英语精读】端午节与粽子典故 | Duanwu Festival and Zongzi Tale

The Zongzi tale: A taste of tradition

在粽香中品味传统

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival, is a significant traditional Chinese celebration that falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. It is also the first Chinese festival to be included in the UNESCO world intangible cultural heritage list. One of the festival's enduring customs is eating zongzi — sweet or savory stuffed rice dumplings wrapped in plant leaves.

龙舟节，又称端午节，是中国重要的传统节日，逢阴历五月初五。这也是第一个被列入联合国教科文组织世界非物质文化遗产名录的中国节日。端午节传统习俗之一是吃粽子——由粽叶包裹糯米加入馅料制成，口味有甜有咸。

China 's zongzi culture has a very long and time-honored history, and stories that have been told about it for thousands of years are known to every household.

中国的粽子文化历史悠久，背后的故事流传千年、家喻户晓。

During  the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), a patriotic poet from the State of Chu named Qu Yuan threw himself into a river after the state was conquered. The people of Chu were deeply saddened, and they went to the river to mourn him. In order to protect his body from being eaten by fish and shrimp, people threw rice dumplings into the river every year on the anniversary of his death. The dumplings became known as zongzi.

战国时期（公元前475-221年），楚国爱国诗人屈原在楚国被征服后投江自尽。楚人悲痛万分，纷纷到江边哀悼。为保护他的尸体不被鱼虾吃掉，人们每年都会在他忌日把米做的饭团扔进江里，也就是现在的粽子。

In  Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, there is another belief that people eat zongzi and watch dragon races to honor legendary military general Wu Zixu. Wu served during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), and he helped the State of Wu flourish before King Fuchai ordered his death. Local people revered his bravery and loyalty, and he has been honored in later generations.

江浙一带还有另一种说法。人们吃粽子、看龙舟赛以纪念传奇军事将领伍子胥。伍子胥春秋时期（公元前770-476年）任吴国官员，曾帮助吴国繁荣昌盛，但后来吴王夫差下令将其处死，当地人崇敬他的勇敢和忠诚，他也一直为后人所敬重。

The  ingredients used to make zongzi vary from region to region, so there are many differences in shape and taste. Most are made with plain white glutinous rice. The northern varieties are usually sweet, with ingredients such as sugar, red bean paste and jujubes. On the other hand, southern zongzi are more savory — especially those from Jiaxing in Zhejiang.

制作粽子的食材因地区而异，形状和口味因此也有很大差异。大多数粽子用白糯米做成。北方粽子通常是甜的，食材有糖、红豆沙和枣。而南方的粽子偏咸，尤其是浙江嘉兴粽子。

Jiaxing zongzi are a renowned specialty in China's Jiangnan (south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River) and have a rich history. The city, historically known as the "granary  of the nation", has been a significant rice-growing area in Chinese history. Jiaxing's savory zongzi are filled with soy sauce, pork, water chestnuts and salted duck egg yolk. The combination of high-quality ingredients and traditional cooking methods results in a delectable treat that is enjoyed by people of all ages.

嘉兴粽子是中国江南（长江下游以南）著名的特产，历史悠久。嘉兴市是中国历史上重要的水稻种植区，被誉为“中国粮仓”。嘉兴咸粽子食材包括酱油、猪肉、荸荠和咸鸭蛋黄。优质食材与传统烹饪方法相结合，造就了这款老少皆宜的美味佳肴。

During  the Dragon Boat Festival, zongzi is not only enjoyed for its culinary appeal but also cherished for its cultural significance. Families and friends gather to make and share the delicious treat, strengthening bonds and fostering a sense of community. Eating zongzi during the festival is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits, making it an essential part of the celebrations.

端午节期间，粽子不仅带给人们美食享受，还因其文化意义被人们珍视。家人、朋友聚在一起，制作和分享美味粽子、增进感情、融洽邻里关系。人们相信节日期间吃粽子会带来好运、驱除恶灵，因此粽子是庆祝活动中必不可少的一部分。