Why eat duck eggs during the Dragon Boat Festival? The cultural connotation behind traditional customs
The Dragon Boat Festival is one of the important traditional festivals in China. In addition to the well-known customs of eating rice dumplings and racing dragon boats, there is also the custom of eating duck eggs in some areas. There is rich cultural connotation and health wisdom behind this custom. This article will analyze the origin and significance of eating duck eggs during the Dragon Boat Festival based on the hot topics on the Internet in the past 10 days.
1. The origin and legend of eating duck eggs during the Dragon Boat Festival

Regarding the origin of eating duck eggs during the Dragon Boat Festival, there are many theories among the people:
1.Exorcise evil spirits and avoid poison: The ancients believed that the Dragon Boat Festival was the "Poison Moon and Poison Day". The round shape of duck eggs symbolizes perfection and harmony, and their salty taste also has the effect of exorcising evil spirits. 2.In memory of Qu Yuan: It is said in some areas that after Qu Yuan threw himself into the river, people threw duck eggs into the water to prevent fish and shrimp from eating his body, which later evolved into a food custom. 3.Nutritional supplements: Duck eggs are rich in protein and minerals, suitable for summer nourishment.
2. Hot topics on the Internet in the past 10 days and discussions related to the Dragon Boat Festival
The following are recent statistics on popular topics on the Internet about Dragon Boat Festival customs:
| hot topics | Number of discussions (10,000) | Main platform |
|---|---|---|
| The debate over the taste of Dragon Boat Festival rice dumplings | 45.2 | Weibo, Douyin |
| Dragon Boat Festival Duck Egg Custom | 12.8 | Zhihu, Xiaohongshu |
| Dragon Boat Race live broadcast | 38.6 | Kuaishou, Bilibili |
| Dragon Boat Festival Health Guide | 9.5 | WeChat public account |
3. Nutritional value and health benefits of duck eggs
Duck eggs are not only a traditional Dragon Boat Festival food, but they also have the following health benefits:
| Nutritional information | Content per 100g | health effects |
|---|---|---|
| protein | 12.6 grams | Enhance immunity |
| Calcium | 62 mg | Strong bones |
| iron | 3.2 mg | Prevent anemia |
| Vitamin A | 260 micrograms | protect eyesight |
4. Dragon Boat Festival duck egg customs in different regions
The customs of eating duck eggs during the Dragon Boat Festival are slightly different across China:
1.Jiangnan area: Prefer salted duck eggs, thinking they can "suppress" the summer heat. 2.Guangdong area: Duck eggs are often boiled with herbs, called "noon eggs". 3.parts of the north: Dyeing duck eggs red means good luck.
5. Modern people’s attitude towards Dragon Boat Festival duck eggs
Based on recent discussions on social media, modern people’s views on Dragon Boat Festival duck eggs are polarized:
-Supporter: It is believed that this is the inheritance of traditional culture, and duck eggs are rich in nutrients. -Opponent: Some young people feel that salted duck eggs taste salty, and prefer other festival foods.
Conclusion
The custom of eating duck eggs during the Dragon Boat Festival is not only a summary of the wisdom of the ancients on health, but also a cultural symbol of exorcising evil spirits and praying for blessings. Although modern eating habits are changing, this tradition still deserves to be understood and respected. During the next Dragon Boat Festival, try a duck egg and feel the taste of thousand-year-old culture.
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