The Double Ninth Festival
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The Double Ninth Festival, also known as Chongyang Festival, is celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, making it a unique event deeply rooted in the number nine, which is considered yang and auspicious in Chinese culture. This festival has a history that stretches back over a thousand years, with its origins often traced back to the Han Dynasty. It's a day that blends both celebration and remembrance, with various customs and practices that have evolved over the centuries.
The Double Ninth Festival was rooted deeply in Chinese history and it began as early as the Warring States Period (457- 221 BC). According to Ching, yin represents darkness's elements, and yang stands for life and brightness.
Moreover, nine is regarded as yang in the ancient people's eyes, so the ninth day of the ninth month is a double yang day, hence getting its name "Chong (double) Yang Festival". It is regarded as a lucky day by people in China. On the Double Ninth Festival, people will do many things to celebrate this special day. Chong Yang Festival is one of the most symbolic traditional Chinese festivals, just like the Ching Ming Festival or the Spring Festival.
For more information about China tours, please look at WindhorseTour's Classic China Tour. Here you can see a list of the traditional customs that people usually do on this day.
In the Chinese calendar, which is rich in festivals and celebrations marking various seasonal and historical events, the Double Ninth Festival stands out as a day dedicated to themes of longevity, respect, and familial duty. Its celebration is a testament to the enduring nature of these values in Chinese society and their continued relevance in modern times. As such, the festival is not just an occasion for leisure and enjoyment but also a day for reflection on the enduring bonds of family and the passage of time.
Travel to China and join this festival as a good chance to know Chinese culture. For more information about tours to China, please look at WindhorseTour's Ancient China Tour with Capitals Exploration.
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Customary practices and activities during the Double Ninth Festival are rich and varied, reflecting the deep cultural heritage and the symbolism associated with the day. These traditions are not only a means of celebration but also a way to express respect for the elderly and to pray for longevity and good health.
Climbing Mountains and Appreciating Autumn Scenery
Climbing mountains is one of the most significant activities of the Double Ninth Festival. This tradition, known as "Shang Shan," is based on the belief that ascending heights can help one avoid misfortune and get closer to the heavens, thereby bringing good health and fortune. As people walk up the mountains, they take the time to appreciate the beauty of autumn, with its crisp air and colorful foliage. This act of communing with nature is both a physical and spiritual journey, allowing individuals to reflect on life and the passing of time while enjoying the panoramic views and the company of loved ones.
Tourists can take a tour to Sichuan to climb the famous Buddhist mountain in China - Mt. Emei. For more information about this, please refer to WindhorseTour's 7 Day Tour of Sichuan and Leshan Grand Buddha and Mt.Emei Hiking 4 Day Tour. It is really a good opportunity to climb the mountain and share the color of autumn.
Consuming Chongyang Cake and Drinking Chrysanthemum Wine
Special foods are a hallmark of Chinese festivals, and the Double Ninth Festival is no exception. Chongyang cake, also known as "Gao," is a steamed cake typically made with rice flour and filled with nuts, jujubes, or bean paste. Its layered structure is symbolic, representing the climbing of high places and the accumulation of good fortune and longevity. Similarly, chrysanthemum wine is consumed for its health-giving properties. Chrysanthemums are believed to have cleansing qualities and are associated with life's robustness. Drinking this wine is a toast to health and a wish for a long life.
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Wearing the Zhuyu Plant and Other Traditional Customs
Zhuyu, or dogwood, is a plant traditionally associated with the Double Ninth Festival. It's believed to have protective qualities, so people wear zhuyu branches or place them on doors and windows to ward off evil spirits and illness. The plant's bright red berries and vibrant green leaves also add a festive touch to the celebration. In some regions, people also carry cornel and willow branches, which have similar protective and health-promoting properties.
Other Traditional Customs
Other customs associated with the festival include flying kites, which are believed to carry away misfortune and bring good luck, and writing and reciting poetry that celebrates the beauty of autumn and the profundity of life. In some areas, there's also a tradition of visiting ancestral graves to clean them and make offerings, a practice known as "Shang Fen," which reflects the deep respect for ancestors in Chinese culture.
These activities and customs of the Double Ninth Festival are steeped in tradition and symbolism, reflecting the Chinese people's reverence for nature, their ancestors, and the elderly. They provide a sense of continuity with the past and a moment of communal bonding and reflection in the present, embodying the enduring values and aesthetics of Chinese culture.
Families Get-Together
The Double Ninth Festival holds profound significance for family and community in Chinese culture, serving as a nexus for familial bonding, communal celebration, and the honoring of ancestors. It's a day when the timeless values of respect, remembrance, and togetherness are brought to the forefront, reflecting the deep-rooted Confucian ideals of filial piety and communal harmony.
The festival provides an opportunity for family members to come together, often traveling from afar to join in the celebrations. It's a time to catch up, share stories, and enjoy each other's company against the backdrop of the beautiful autumn scenery. For many, it's also a moment to bridge generations, with younger members gaining wisdom from their elders, and older members finding joy in the vitality of the young.
Honoring ancestors is another significant aspect of the Double Ninth Festival. Many families use this occasion to visit the graves of their ancestors, clean the tombstones, and make offerings of food, incense, and paper money. This practice, known as 'shang fen,' is a way to pay respects to the departed, acknowledge their continuing presence in the lives of the living, and reinforce the family's lineage and unity.
Poetry and Literature
The Double Ninth Festival has deeply influenced Chinese literature over the centuries, with poets and writers drawing inspiration from its themes of autumnal beauty, longevity, remembrance, and familial respect. The festival's scenic and emotional aspects, combined with its rich symbolism, provide fertile ground for literary expression.
Famous Poems and Writings
One of the most famous poems associated with the Double Ninth Festival is "Climbing the High Tower" by Wang Wei, where the poet expresses his melancholy and the sense of passing time during the festival. Another notable work is by the poet Du Fu, who reflects on his separation from his family during the festival, highlighting themes of longing and the passage of time. These works and many others have become synonymous with the Double Ninth Festival, capturing the essence of the day and leaving a lasting impact on Chinese cultural heritage.
Modern Celebrations
The way the Double Ninth Festival is celebrated has evolved over time, with traditional customs adapting to fit contemporary lifestyles while maintaining their core significance.
Celebration in Different Parts of China
While the essence of the festival remains consistent, regional variations exist across China. In some areas, traditional activities like mountain climbing and chrysanthemum viewing are still very popular, while in others, modern recreational activities have been incorporated. Urban celebrations might include cultural performances, exhibitions, and public lectures that focus on respecting the elderly and promoting health.
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Changes and Adaptations
In contemporary times, the festival has also become a day to focus on the elderly, with various events and initiatives organized by communities, schools, and organizations to honor and entertain senior citizens. It's not uncommon to see young people volunteering to assist the elderly or communities organizing health check-ups and cultural events specifically for them.
Moreover, with the advent of social media and digital communication, greetings and well-wishes are often exchanged electronically, allowing the sentiment of the festival to be shared even when physical presence is not possible.
In modern urban centers, where traditional practices might not be as feasible, the festival has adapted to include more accessible forms of celebration, such as enjoying special festival-related foods at restaurants or participating in cultural activities organized by local communities. Despite these changes, the heart of the festival — honoring the elderly and enjoying the beauty of autumn — remains unchanged, demonstrating the adaptability and enduring relevance of traditional festivals in modern society.
The Double Ninth Festival is a day to recall, climb high, and a day to appreciate the autumn, watching the beautiful chrysanthemums and the wonderful landscapes in autumn. Plan a tour and travel to China during the Chinese festivals and get yourself in the jubilant atmosphere of the festival. This festival is mainly celebrated for the old. While you are traveling in China on the Chong Yang Festival, you will get your own understanding of this festival and show your appreciation for autumn.