Double Ninth Festival

TheDouble Ninth Festivalis atraditional Chinese holidayobserved on the ninth day of the ninth month in theChinese calendar. According to Wu Jun, it dates back to theEastern Han dynasty(25–220 AD).
According to theI Ching,nineis ayangnumber; the ninth day of the ninth month in the Chinese calendar (or double nine) has extrayang(a traditional Chinese spiritual concept) and is thus an auspicious date.Hence, the day is also called "Double Yang Festival" (重陽節).It is customary to climb a mountain,drinkchrysanthemumliquor,and wear thezhuyu(茱萸) plant (Cornus officinalis). Both chrysanthemum andzhuyuare considered to have cleansing qualities and are used on other occasions to air out houses and cure illnesses.
On this holiday, some Chinese also visit the graves of their ancestors to pay their respects.In Hong Kong and Macau, whole extended families head to ancestral graves to clean them, repaint inscriptions and lay out food offerings such as roastsuckling pigand fruit, which are then eaten (after the spirits have consumed the spiritual element of the food).Chongyang cakeis also popularandincense sticksare burned during the holiday.
The origins of the festival date back as early as theWarring States period
According to legend, the traditions of hiking and drinking chrysanthemum wine on this day began with theHan dynastymanFei Changfang[zh]and his discipleHuan Jing[zh].One year, Fei advised Huan to bring chrysanthemum wine and food and climb a mountain with his family on the ninth day of the ninth month.Huan followed his master's instructions, and when he returned home he found that his livestock had all suddenly died; if he had not climbed the mountain as instructed, the same would have happened to him and his family.
An alternative origin story involves intrigue in the imperial court ofEmperor Gaozu of Han. As part ofEmpress Lü's jealous plot againstConsort Qi, the latter's maid was forced out of the imperial palace.The maid, surnamed Jia (賈;贾), told the common people that in the palace it was customary to weardogwoodand drink chrysanthemum wine on the ninth day of the ninth month, and these customs spread more widely.
In 1966,Taiwanrededicated the holiday as "Senior Citizens' Day",underscoring one custom as it is observed in Mainland China, where the festival is also an opportunity to care for and appreciate the elderly.
Double Ninth may have originated as a day to drive away danger, but like theChinese New Year, over time, it became a day of celebration. In contemporary times, it is an occasion for hiking and chrysanthemum appreciation.Other activities include flying kites, making flower cakes, and welcoming married daughters back home for visiting.
Stores sell rice cakes (糕"gāo", a homophone forheight高) with mini colorful flags to representzhuyu. Most people drink chrysanthemum tea, while a few traditionalists drink homemade chrysanthemum wine. Children learn poems about chrysanthemums and many localities host chrysanthemum exhibits. Mountain climbing races are also popular; winners get to wear a wreath made ofzhuyu.
In Japan, the festival is known asChōyōbut also as the Chrysanthemum Festival(菊の節句,Kiku no Sekku)and it is one of Japan's five sacred ancient festivals (sekku).It is most commonly celebrated on the 9th day of the 9th month according to theGregorian calendarrather than the lunisolar calendar, i.e. on September 9. It is celebrated at both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.The festival is celebrated in the wish for the longevity of one's life and is observed by drinking chrysanthemumsakeand eating dishes such as chestnut rice (kuri-gohan) and chestnuts with glutinous rice (kuri-mochi).
In Korea, the festival is known as Jungyangjeol (중양절;重陽節), and it is celebrated on the 9th day of the 9th month.Koreans would consume chrysanthemum leaves in pancakes. As the festival is meant to celebrate and cultivate good health, outdoor activities such as carrying dogwood, climbing hills or mountains for picnics, and gazing at chrysanthemum blossoms are carried out.