中国传统节日端午节，除了吃粽子、划龙舟以外，在苏北地区还有一个习俗，就是给家中的孩子的手臂系五色绳。这个习俗是怎么来的呢？又有什么寓意呢？【英文版高考阅读难度·高考热门中国话题】

说法一：牛郎织女的故事

传说仙女织女私自下凡，和牛郎成亲。牛郎织女当年已经在人间生儿育女，惹怒了王母娘娘，于是派了天兵天将下凡捉拿织女。织女留下了许多五彩的丝线，这个丝线有神力，天兵天将不能靠近。于是牛郎就用这些丝线做成了五色绳，缠在子女的胳臂上，防止天兵天将把孩子也抓走。这天正好是端午节，孩子手臂上的五色绳被大家看到了，大家争相模仿，于是就有端午节缠五色绳的习俗。

(资料图片仅供参考)

说法二：驱虫辟邪

端午节正值盛夏，蚊虫蛇蚁特别多，小孩很容易受到伤害。据说古人发现，用彩色的绳子编织的手绳对这些蚊虫蛇蚁有驱赶恐吓的作用，可以防止孩子被蚊虫、蚂蚁叮咬，老蛇不敢靠近。于是，一传十，十传百，就有了缠五色绳的习俗。

说法三：道家五行说

端午节五色绳非常有讲究，分为：青、白、红、黑和黄，五种颜色。分别代表着道家五行：木、金、火、水和土；又蕴含着：东南西北中的五方神力。戴上五色绳，可以驱邪除魔、祛病强身，代表了人们的美好祝愿。

端午佳节，祝各位粉丝，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!

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