端午节

端午节是中国传统节日之一，通常在每年农历五月初五庆祝。

The Dragon Boat Festival is one of the traditional festivals of China, usually celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar each year.

这个节日有着悠久的历史，源于纪念古代楚国诗人屈原的事迹。

This festival has a long history, originating from the commemoration of the events concerning Qu Yuan, a poet from the ancient State of Chu.

屈原是中国历史上著名的爱国诗人，他因国家动荡而愤然投江自尽。

Qu Yuan is a well-known patriotic poet in Chinese history, who, in a fit of anger over the turmoil in his country, drowned himself in a river.

为了保护屈原的遗体不被水中的鱼虾侵害，百姓纷纷划船入水，投粽子给江中的鱼吃，避免它们靠近屈原的身体。

To protect Qu Yuan's body from being disturbed by fish and shrimp in the water, the common people rowed out in boats to throw zongzi into the river for the fish to eat, keeping them away from Qu Yuan's remains.

渐渐地，这一习俗演变成了端午节庆祝活动的一部分，成为了纪念屈原的方式。

Gradually, this custom evolved into a part of the Dragon Boat Festival celebrations, becoming a way to honor Qu Yuan.

端午节的象征食物是粽子。

The symbolic food of the Dragon Boat Festival is zongzi.

粽子是由糯米、肉类、蛋黄、豆沙等材料包裹而成的食品，外面通常用竹叶包裹并绑成四角或三角形，经过蒸煮后香气四溢。

Zongzi are food items made of glutinous rice wrapped in ingredients such as meat, salted egg yolk, and red bean paste, usually wrapped in bamboo leaves and tied into a square or triangular shape, steamed to release a fragrant aroma.

每个地区的粽子口味和包法都不相同，北方的粽子大多为甜味，如红豆粽、枣粽，而南方则以咸味为主，比如肉粽、蛋黄粽等。

The flavors and wrapping styles of zongzi differ from region to region; northern zongzi are mostly sweet, such as red bean zongzi and date zongzi, while southern zongzi are predominantly savory, including meat zongzi and salted egg yolk zongzi.

粽子不仅美味，还蕴含着团圆与祝福的寓意，是端午节的重要标志。

Zongzi are not only delicious but also carry the meaning of reunion and blessings, serving as an important symbol of the Dragon Boat Festival.

另一项端午节的传统活动是赛龙舟。

Another traditional activity of the Dragon Boat Festival is dragon boat racing.

赛龙舟起源于古代百姓为了寻找屈原的遗体而划船出海的故事。

Dragon boat racing has its origins in the story of the ancient people rowing out to sea in search of Qu Yuan’s body.

如今，赛龙舟已经发展成为一种富有竞技性和娱乐性的节庆活动。

Today, dragon boat racing has developed into a festive activity rich in competitiveness and entertainment.

赛龙舟通常在河流、湖泊或海上进行，参赛的队伍会驾驶长型船只，船头装饰有龙头龙尾，比赛时，队员们要齐心协力，快速划桨，以争取胜利。

The races are typically held on rivers, lakes, or the sea, with participating teams steering long, narrow boats adorned with dragon heads and tails, where team members must work together to paddle rapidly in pursuit of victory.

赛龙舟不仅是对屈原的纪念，也体现了团队协作的精神和体育的魅力。

Dragon boat racing not only commemorates Qu Yuan but also embodies the spirit of teamwork and the charm of sports.

此外，端午节还流传着挂艾草、菖蒲的习俗。

Additionally, there is the custom of hanging mugwort and calamus during the Dragon Boat Festival.

人们会在家门口挂上艾草和菖蒲，以驱邪避灾，保平安。

People hang mugwort and calamus at their doorways to ward off evil and avoid disasters, ensuring safety and peace.

这些植物被认为有驱虫、避疫、除邪的功效，古人认为在端午节这一天挂这些植物，可以祈求身体健康、家庭安康。

These plants are believed to possess insect-repelling, disease-avoiding, and evil-dispelling qualities; ancient people believed that hanging these plants on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival could pray for health and family well-being.

端午节不仅仅是一个纪念屈原的日子，它的庆祝活动充满了热情与活力。

The Dragon Boat Festival is not just a day to commemorate Qu Yuan; its celebrations are filled with enthusiasm and vitality.

无论是吃粽子、赛龙舟，还是挂艾草、菖蒲，都体现了中国人对家人、对生命、对历史的尊重与怀念。

Whether it is eating zongzi, racing dragon boats, or hanging mugwort and calamus, all reflect the Chinese people's respect and remembrance for family, life, and history.