GCIOSGF Newsletter 會訊：
Today is Dragon Boat Festival (端午節) .It is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, meaning it falls on June 3rd in 2022.
You might want to know how to give people your best wishes for the Dragon Boat Festival. Some say that it is inappropriate to wish someone a “Happy Dragon Boat Festival”. Why? And what should you say?
We have collected some Dragon Boat Festival greetings, wishes, messages, and quotes to help...
“Happy Dragon Boat Festival” or “Healthy Dragon Boat Festival”?
In recent years, a hot debate has ensued about whether it is inappropriate to say “Happy Dragon Boat Festival” (端午快樂 Duānwǔjié kuàilè) and whether we say “Safe and Healthy Dragon Boat Festival” (端午安康 Duānwǔjié ānkāng) instead.
Confused? That’s understandable, since it is common to see ‘happy + [festival name]’ greetings in China. For example:
‘Happy New Year’ (新年快樂)
‘Happy Mid-Autumn Festival’ (中秋節快樂)
However, it is not applicable to the Dragon Boat Festival. There are two popular explanations.
dragon boat festival greeting, happy dragon boat festival
It Marks the Month of Poison!
One possible explanation relates to the calendar placement of the occasion. Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar. The fifth month is known by some as the ‘month of poison’ because the ‘five poisonous creatures’ (centipedes, scorpions, snakes, toads, and geckos) in the Chinese phrase begin to emerge in month 5.
Due to the surge in the poisonous creatures, the warming weather, and seasonal fluctuations, as a result, there are lots of potential ways to get sick, so it is not a “happy” festival.
On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, people hang fragrant mugwort pouches (香包) and drink realgar wine (雄黃酒) to keep pests as well as evil spirits away. Due to the many traditions that are thought to fight off disease and garner good health, it is believed that wishing “Healthy Dragon Boat Festival” is more appropriate.
It Marks the Death of Qu Yuan!
The second reason to avoid wishing “happiness” on Dragon Boat Day is related to the origin of the festival. Many people believe that the festival originated from the commemoration of the death of Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet of the state of Chu during the Warring States Period (475–221 BC).
On the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, the king banished Qu Yuan. Unable to bear it, Qu Yuan killed himself by jumping into the Mi Luo River. Hence, this day is celebrated to mourn Qu Yuan, and should not to be “happy”.
Learn more about Top 3 Legends about Chinese Dragon Boat Festival.
But, It Is Happy Too!
Is this the whole truth though? Continue to read…
It is widely believed that the Dragon Boat Festival actually came before the death of Qu Yuan. The custom of commemorating Qu Yuan is only part of the festival, as are the ill-health-assuaging traditions. The Dragon Boat Festival itself has many elements of joy, and many customs are entertaining, such as dragon boat racing. So, it is no problem to say “Happy Dragon Boat Festival” when offered in the right spirit.
Actually, there are not any formal greetings for Dragon Boat Festival in China. Chinese people don’t generally greet each other in real life communications during this festival. It is more likely that such greetings appear in the media or in text messages etc. between friends.
dragon boat festival greeting,healthy dragon boat festival
Dragon Boat Festival Wishes and Messages
Want to send your best wishes for Dragon Boat Festival to your family and friends? Here are some Dragon Boat Festival wishes and messages to share.
1. 願你事業像龍舟一樣快進；家庭像紅棗一樣甜蜜；安康像糯米一樣粘上就不掉！端午節安康。
‘Wishing you a career like a dragon boat — rapidly progressing, a family as sweet as red dates, and health that sticks to you like glutinous rice and doesn’t fall off! Have a safe and sound Dragon Boat Festival.’
2. 願你被誘人的香味包圍，願你享受粽子的甜蜜滋味，願你過一個難忘的端午節。
‘May you be surrounded with alluring fragrance, and may you enjoy the sweet taste of dumplings. May you have a memorable Dragon Boat Festival.’
3. 綠綠粽葉包吉祥，歡歡喜喜過端午；
長長絲線綁健康，無病無災身體棒；
甜甜粽餡溢飄香，幸福生活萬年長；
端午祝福來送上，願您平安又舒暢！
‘The green leaves of dumplings wrap up luck, enjoy the time of Dragon Boat Fest;
The long silk thread holds in health, no ills no shocks for a body of strength;
The fragrance of sweet dumplings airily floats, have a happy life many years long;
Duanwu blessings are offered up, wishing you peace and ease!’
4. 願幸福就像一根根粽繩，緊緊地纏著你；
願安康就像一片片粽葉，團團地圍著你；
美滿就像一陣陣粽香，久久地環繞你。
衷心祝你端午節幸福、安康、美滿！
‘May happiness be like a dumpling cord, tightly wrapped around you;
May health be like a dumpling leaf, enfolding to surround you;
May bliss like a burst of dumpling fragrance, enduringly encompass you.
I sincerely wish you a happy, healthy, and blissful Dragon Boat Festival!’
沒有留言:
張貼留言