Chinese Double Ninth Festival (Chongyang Festival)

Falling on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, Chongyang Festival is also called the Double Ninth Festival. It is named as Chongyang Festival because according to the Chinese astrology, nine is a 'Yang' character meaning masculine or positive and 'Chong' in Chinese means double. As both the month and the day are nine, it got this name. To celebrate the day, people usually clime the mountains and enjoy Chrysanthemum, so the festival is also known as Height Ascending Festival or Chrysanthemum Festival. In China, nine has the similar pronunciation with the word meaning 'forever', symbolizing longevity. Therefore, the Chinese government set the day as the Seniors' Day.

Chinese Name：	重阳节Chóngyáng Jié
Alternative Names:	Double Ninth Festival, Seniors' Day, Height Ascending Festival, Chrysanthemum Festival
Date:	Sep.9th (Chinese Lunar Calendar)
Festival Type:	Traditional Chinese Festival
Countries/Areas to Celebrate:	China
Traditions and Customs:	Showing respect to the seniors, Climbing mountains, Eating Chongyang cakes, Drinking chrysanthemum wine, Enjoying chrysanthemum and sticking chrysanthemum, Inserting Zhuyu (medicinal cornel)
Festival Food:	Chongyang Cakes, Chrysanthemum Wine

The Double Ninth Festival (Chongyang Festival) falls on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month (usually in October in Gregorian calendar). The following chart shows the exact times for the festival from 2023 to 2026:

Year	Date of Chongyang Festival
2023	October 23rd
2024	October 11th
2025	October 29th
2026	October 18th

It is said that during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25 - 220 AD), there was a devil of the plague in the Ruhe River. People living around the river suffered a lot from it. As long as it showed up, people would be ill or died. A man named Huan Jing living there almost died caused by this plague. His parents had been died because of this. After recovery, he decided to find the immortals to learn skills for killing the devil. He took a long journey, overcame many difficulties and found the immortal finally. Moving by him, the immortal taught him the skills to defeat the devil.

On the 8^th day of the 9^th lunar month, the immortal told Huan Jing that the devil would appear again the next day. He gave Huan Jing some Zhuyu leaves and some chrysanthemum wine and let him go back to kill the devil. After coming back, Huan sent everyone a Zhuyu leaf and a glass of chrysanthemum wine. On the 9th day, the devil emerged from the river and became dizzy at once on smelling the scent of Zhuyu and the wine. Huan Jing took his sword out and killed the devil at last. From that time on, climbing the mountain has become a custom to avoid the evil on the 9^th day of the 9^th month.

Showing respect to the seniors, climbing mountains, eating Chongyang cakes, drinking chrysanthemum wine, admiring chrysanthemum, sticking chrysanthemum and inserting Zhuyu (Cornus officinalis) are main customs of the double ninth festival.

Climbing Mountains
As September has the clear sky and fresh air, it is a very good time to climb the mountain. There will be a sense of exhilaration by climbing the mountain in this season. Also, it is good for health. Since the Western Han Dynasty(202 BC - 9 AD), it has been the custom of climbing on the Chongyang Festival.

Admiring Chrysanthemums
On the day, admiring the chrysanthemum are very popular as the flower symbolize longevity. The flowers are in full blossom those days. Many people will go to the park to enjoy its beauty. Drinking the chrysanthemum wine is regarded as a way to block off disasters and evil things. Sticking chrysanthemum and inserting Zhuyu (Cornus officinalis) are also traditions to avoid the evil as they have special smells which can repel insects and keep out the cold.

Eating Chongyang Cake
Eating Chongyang cake is another tradition on the festival. There is no fixed way of the cake but the one with nine layers with two sheep on it is the best. Two sheep means Chongyang. Nine layers indicate people could progress well in everything.

Show Respect to the Old
Today, the festival is mostly celebrated as the Seniors' Day. On the day, many activities are held to show respect to the seniors such as organizing a trip for them, sending them gifts and more.

More Traditional Chinese Festivals:

Chinese Spring Festival      Laba Festival      Lantern Festival      Dragon Heads-raising Day      Qingming Festival      Ghost Festival       Dragon Boat Festival         Mid-Autumn Festival      Double Seventh Festival      Winter Solstice