Chongyang Festival

Observed on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, Chongyang Festival, also known as Double Ninth Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival that dates back to the Warring States Period (476-221 BC). It is a day for families to visit the graves of their ancestors and pay their respects, as well as a time for people to climb mountains, eat Chongyang cake, and drink chrysanthemum wine or tea.

According to the ancient book I Ching, nine is a yang number, and yang is associated with light, activity, and other positive concepts. And in Mandarin, “Chong” means double, hence the ninth day of the ninth lunar month is called Chongyang and considered very auspicious. For such a propitious time, it is customary to climb high mountains, drink chrysanthemum liquor, and wear the zhuyu plant (Cornus officinalis). This is believed to dispel evil spirits and turn bad fortune around.

In contemporary times, Chongyang Festival is also an official festival for the elderly. Since it falls on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, and “nine nine” is pronounced the same as the word "forever" in Mandarin, Chinese people consider it a symbol of long life, which carries a blessing for the health and longevity of the old. In 2012, China designated the Chongyang Festival as "a festival for the elderly", with the aim to promote and develop the traditional Chinese virtue of respecting and supporting the elderly.

Like some other traditional Chinese festivals, Chongyang Festival is somewhat being forgotten. Customs once deemed essential are now ignored, such as climbing high mountains and wearing the zhuyu plant. Nevertheless, the new meaning it carries will help us understand this important festival better.