Chiu Luan, a very wise and respectful poet in ancient China, was a minister in Tsu. Chiu Luan, a loyal patriot, loved his country very much. He not only gave advice to the king of Tsu, but also spoke courageously. The king of Tsu highly regarded Chiu Luan’s loyalty and righteousness. This made many jealous. Slanderous rumors eventually caused the king to banish Chiu Luan.
During his years in exile, Chiu Luan saw his country slowly come to an end, but he was unable to stop it; he lived in sorrow. On the 5th of May on the lunar calendar, Chiu Luan jumped in to the Mi Luo River with a big rock tightly tied to his chest. People came to the riverside to save him, but it was too late. They came in boats, looked for his body, and threw tzung tz into the river to protect his body from being eaten by fish. Now people row dragon boats and eat tzung tz every year to cherish his memory.