1st June 2025 Wendy & Beena
Wendy sent me this painting for the Dragon Boat Festival. It depicts rice dumplings served on the 5th day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar, believed to be the day Qu Yuan died and when the festival is celebrated.
There are many stories, but the one I prefer is about the loyal minister and poet Qu Yuan of the ancient state of Chu. He opposed the King for allying with the powerful state of Qin. He was banished and spent his time in exile, where he wrote numerous poems. Eventually, Qin conquered Chu, and Qu Yuan committed suicide by jumping into the river. The people then rowed their boats and threw rice dumplings so that the fish would eat the rice instead of his body. Hence, in his memory, every year the Chinese celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, a deeply rooted tradition, by eating rice dumplings.
Despite the tragic story, I find the reaction to help this talented individual came relatively late. However, I suppose that in authoritarian regimes, there is little people can do to assist others. Nevertheless, his legacy, a testament to his enduring spirit, lived on despite the actions of the king against him.