More than 2,000 years ago, Qu Yuan was born in Zigui, Hubei, and was a loyal minister of Chu during the Warring States Period. He was smart and upright, and hoped that the Chu Kingdom would be peaceful and stable, and became stronger and stronger. But, King Chu did not heed his advice and, what is more exiled him. In 278 BC, Qin Jiangbai defeated the Chu capital and Ying. Upon hearing this news, Qu Yuan threw himself into the Miluo River. The public respected him very much and rushed to rescue him, hoping to at least retrieve his body. Later, even though the body was not found, people threw sticky rice balls into the water, saying that the fish and shrimp would not bite Qu Yuan's body if they were full. It is said that this is the origin of why pyramid shaped rice balls (zongzi) are eaten at the dragon boat festival.