The festival has its origin in the story of Qu Yuan, a poet and statesman.
Legend has it that when he drowned in the Milou River the common people, who loved him, rushed in their boats in an unsuccessful attempt to save him. Having failed, they prepared parcels of food for the fishes so that they would leave his body in peace.
All aspects of the festival have their origin in the story - the races in boats decorated as dragons, the preparation of zong zi (a rice-based dish) and gifts to children of xiang bao ('fragrance pouches' made of cotton or silk, decorated with animals or flowers and containing perfume).
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