There are many different versions about the origins of the Dragon Boat Festival held each year on the fifth day of the fifth Chinese lunar month.

The most widely believed concerns Qu Yuan, an official in the Kingdom of Chu during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC).

Born into a noble family, Qu had great talent and was entrusted with important tasks by the emperor. Because he gave the emperor advice the leader didn't want to hear, he was finally banished from the capital city.

His journey of exile passed through many provinces including Hunan and Hubei and left in its wake his poems about improving the country and his deep depression.

The Kingdom of Chu was destroyed by the Kingdom of Qin in 223 BC when Qu was in exile. When he heard the news, he was heartbroken.

He jumped into the Miluo River with a heavy stone and drowned himself.

Among the poetry he left behind, the most popular is titled Lisao.

It is renowned not only for its moving words, but also for the creation of new form of verse that became known as Chuci.

After Qu's death, his body was found in the river. Local people rowed boats to try to rescue him. When they could not save his life, they honored the great poet and patriot with steamed rice wrapped in reed leaves that were dropped into the Miluo.