閱讀練習：Dragon Boat Festival 端午節
Photo by cheng feng on Unsplash
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar, which usually falls in June. It is a significant cultural event in Taiwan, and the festival is observed with great enthusiasm and excitement. Here are some key aspects of the Dragon Boat Festival in Taiwan:
台灣的端午節，也被稱為龍舟節，是中國傳統節日，慶祝日期在農曆的五月初五，通常落在六月。這是台灣一個重要的文化盛事，人們以極大的熱情和興奮慶祝這個節日。以下是台灣端午節的一些重要特色：
- Origin and Legend: The festival has its roots in ancient Chinese history and commemorates the famous poet and statesman Qu Yuan. According to legend, Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River during the Warring States period to protest against political corruption. The local people raced their boats to save him or retrieve his body, leading to the tradition of dragon boat races.
起源和傳說：這個節日源於中國古代歷史，紀念著名的詩人和政治家屈原。根據傳說，屈原在戰國時期為了抗議政治腐敗，在汨羅江投江自盡。當地人舉船划水以搶救他或尋找他的遺體，從而形成了龍舟競渡的傳統。
- Dragon Boat Races: The highlight of the festival is the dragon boat races held in various water bodies throughout Taiwan. Dragon boats are long and narrow boats decorated like dragons. Teams of rowers paddle in synchronization to the beat of a drum at the front of the boat. The races are thrilling to watch, and teams compete to win championships and honor.
龍舟競渡：節日的重頭戲是在台灣各地舉行的龍舟競渡。龍舟是長而窄的船隻，外觀裝飾成龍的樣式。划船隊伍通過在船頭敲鼓的節拍下同步划槳。這些比賽非常刺激，各隊爭奪冠軍和榮譽。
- Zongzi: Another significant element of the Dragon Boat Festival is the consumption of zongzi, a traditional sticky rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves. The dumplings are typically filled with ingredients such as meat, beans, nuts, or sweet fillings like red bean paste. Zongzi is prepared and shared among family and friends during the festival.
粽子：台灣端午節的另一重要元素是吃粽子，粽子是一種用竹葉包裹的傳統糯米飯團。粽子通常內餡有肉、豆類、堅果或像紅豆餡之類的甜餡料。在節日期間，人們會準備並分享粽子給家人和朋友。
- Herbal Medicine: The Dragon Boat Festival is also associated with health and protection. People hang bundles of herbs, such as mugwort and calamus, around their homes to ward off evil spirits and prevent illness. It is believed that these herbs have medicinal properties and can repel insects as well.
藥草：端午節也與健康和保護有關。人們會將艾草和菖蒲等藥草捆成束，掛在家中，以驅逐邪靈和預防疾病。相信這些草藥具有藥用特性，也可以驅趕昆蟲。
- Other Customs: Beyond dragon boat races and zongzi, the festival also involves various customs and activities. These include making and wearing colorful silk threads as accessories, tying silk threads around wrists to ward off evil spirits, and hanging up pouches filled with herbs and talismans. People may also visit temples to pay their respects to Qu Yuan and other deities.
其他習俗：除了龍舟競渡和粽子之外，節日還包含各種習俗和活動。這些包括製作並佩戴彩色絲線飾品，繫結絲線在手腕上驅除邪靈，以及掛滿草藥和護身符的小袋子。人們還可以參觀廟宇，向屈原和其他神祇致敬。
The Dragon Boat Festival in Taiwan is a time for people to come together, celebrate their cultural heritage, and enjoy the festive atmosphere. It combines sporting events, culinary traditions, and age-old customs, making it a vibrant and cherished occasion for locals and visitors alike.
台灣的端午節是人們團聚、慶祝文化遺產和享受節日氛圍的時刻。它結合了體育活動、烹飪傳統和古老的習俗，成為台灣本土居民和遊客都熱愛的繽紛節日。
實用單字
Nouns 名詞
- Dragon Boat Festival – 龍舟節
- Dragon boat – 龍船
- Rice dumpling (Zongzi) – 粽子
- Drum – 鼓
- Bamboo leaves – 竹葉
- Miluo River – 汨羅江
- Tradition – 傳統
- Legend – 傳說
- Herbal medicine – 藥草
- Silk threads – 絲線
- Race – 競賽
- Customs – 習俗
- Festival – 節日
- Wrists – 手腕
- Pouches – 小袋子
Verbs 動詞
- Celebrate – 慶祝
- Race – 競渡
- Wrap – 包裹
- Commemorate – 紀念
- Row – 划槳
- Hang – 掛
- Prepare – 準備
- Share – 分享
- Pay respects to – 致敬
- Ward off – 驅除
- Tie – 繫結
Adjectives 形容詞
- Traditional – 傳統的
- Colorful – 彩色的
- Sticky – 黏的
- Famous – 著名的
- Thrilling – 刺激的
- Evil – 邪惡的
- Medicinal – 藥用的
Adverbs 副詞
- Typically – 通常
- Synchronously – 同步地
- Together – 團聚地
- Vibrantly – 繽紛地
Phrases 片語
- Dragon boat races – 龍舟競賽
- Sticky rice dumpling – 糯米粽
- Festival atmosphere – 節日氛圍
- Cultural heritage – 文化遺產
- Come together – 團聚在一起
- Ward off evil spirits – 驅除邪靈
- Pay respects to ancestors – 祭祖
