In conjunction with the celebration of the Duan Wu (Dumpling) Festival, the giant statue of Qu Yuan was set up at Waterloo Street, Singapore.
The building behind the giant statue of Qu Yuan is Rochor Centre. The height of this giant statue is about 2 levels of a building.
Qu Yuan (340BC--278BC) was a Chinese patriotic poet from the State of Chu during Zhan Guo (Warring States 403BC--221BC) period.Qu Yuan was a loyal minister of the State of Chu. Under the influence of his political rival, he was exiled twice by the king of Chu. He was desperate when his homeland was conquered by General Bai Qi of the State of Chin.
He jumped into the Mi Luo river to protest against the corruption of his country. In order to keep fish away from Qu Yuan's body, villagers threw zong zi (dumplings) into river for fish to eat.
Today (fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar), Chinese all over the world celebrate Duan Wu (Dumpling) Festival to commemorate Qu Yuan.
Owh.. I was searching for the real meaning of Duan Wu Festival. Thanks for sharing. But I've read something like Dragon Boat Festival which has the same meaning as Duan Wu Festival. Any idea why?
ReplyDeleteWow! Welcome to Singapore! So embarrass to say that I didn't see this statue - Qu Yuan at Bugis. Guess it was there only a while during Duan Wu Festival.
ReplyDeleteJust to share to rosewong, I think Dragon Boat Festival has the original meaning of throwing dumplings into the river while the people where Qu Yuan jumped into, so as to feed the fishes so that they won't eat Qu Yuan's body.
And I love dumplings! But have not had one this year yet!
~eunice~
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