中國(guó)傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日端午節(jié)，除了吃粽子、劃龍舟以外，在蘇北地區(qū)還有一個(gè)習(xí)俗，就是給家中的孩子的手臂系五色繩。這個(gè)習(xí)俗是怎么來的呢？又有什么寓意呢？【英文版高考閱讀難度·高考熱門中國(guó)話題】

說法一：牛郎織女的故事

傳說仙女織女私自下凡，和牛郎成親。牛郎織女當(dāng)年已經(jīng)在人間生兒育女，惹怒了王母娘娘，于是派了天兵天將下凡捉拿織女。織女留下了許多五彩的絲線，這個(gè)絲線有神力，天兵天將不能靠近。于是牛郎就用這些絲線做成了五色繩，纏在子女的胳臂上，防止天兵天將把孩子也抓走。這天正好是端午節(jié)，孩子手臂上的五色繩被大家看到了，大家爭(zhēng)相模仿，于是就有端午節(jié)纏五色繩的習(xí)俗。

(資料圖)

說法二：驅(qū)蟲辟邪

端午節(jié)正值盛夏，蚊蟲蛇蟻特別多，小孩很容易受到傷害。據(jù)說古人發(fā)現(xiàn)，用彩色的繩子編織的手繩對(duì)這些蚊蟲蛇蟻有驅(qū)趕恐嚇的作用，可以防止孩子被蚊蟲、螞蟻叮咬，老蛇不敢靠近。于是，一傳十，十傳百，就有了纏五色繩的習(xí)俗。

說法三：道家五行說

端午節(jié)五色繩非常有講究，分為：青、白、紅、黑和黃，五種顏色。分別代表著道家五行：木、金、火、水和土；又蘊(yùn)含著：東南西北中的五方神力。戴上五色繩，可以驅(qū)邪除魔、祛病強(qiáng)身，代表了人們的美好祝愿。

端午佳節(jié)，祝各位粉絲，端午安康！

英文版：Fun fact: In the northern regions of Jiangsu Province, why do they wrap five-colored strings during the Dragon Boat Festival?

Traditional Chinese festival Dragon Boat Festival, besides eating zongzi and rowing dragon boats, there is another custom in the northern region of Jiangsu Province, which is tying five-colored strings on the arms of children at home. How did this custom come about? And what does it symbolize?

Explanation One: The Story of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl

Legend has it that the fairy Weaver Girl secretly descended to the mortal world and married the Cowherd. The Cowherd and Weaver Girl had already given birth to children in the mortal world, which angered the Queen Mother of Heaven. As a result, heavenly soldiers and generals were dispatched to capture the Weaver Girl.

The Weaver Girl left behind many colorful threads, which possessed magical power and prevented the heavenly soldiers and generals from approaching. Therefore, the Cowherd made these threads into five-colored strings and tied them on the arms of their children to prevent the heavenly soldiers and generals from taking the children away.

It so happened that it was Dragon Boat Festival when the five-colored strings on the children"s arms were seen by everyone. People imitated it and thus the custom of tying five-colored strings during Dragon Boat Festival came into being.

Explanation Two: Expelling Insects and Warding off Evil Spirits

Dragon Boat Festival falls in midsummer when mosquitoes, insects, snakes, and ants are particularly abundant, posing a threat to children. It is said that ancient people discovered that hand strings woven with colored ropes have the effect of driving away and intimidating these mosquitoes, insects, snakes, and ants. It can prevent children from being bitten by mosquitoes and ants, and the snakes dare not come near. Therefore, as the custom spread from one person to another, people started to tie five-colored strings during Dragon Boat Festival.

Explanation Three: The Five Elements in Taoism

The five-colored strings during Dragon Boat Festival are very particular and are divided into five colors: green, white, red, black, and yellow. They respectively represent the five elements in Taoism: wood, metal, fire, water, and earth. They also embody the powers of the five directions: east, south, west, north, and center. Wearing the five-colored strings can ward off evil spirits, expel demons, cure diseases, and strengthen the body, symbolizing people"s good wishes.

During Dragon Boat Festival, I wish all the fans a healthy and peaceful festival!