Chinese Festivals - The Double Ninth Festival

The name of this festival comes from the date. The Double Ninth Festival (Chong Yang Jie - 重阳节) falls on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month. According to "The Book of Change", "A" nine is a number for Yang (as in the dual concepts of "Yin" and "Yang" which describe two primal opposing but complementary principles or cosmic forces said to be found in all non-static objects and processes in the universe.). Since there are two "nine" on that day, the Double Ninth Festival is called Chongyang (repeating Yang) Festival.

There are many characteristic celebrations for this festival. The more recognized ones are: climbing hills, enjoying the blossom of chrysanthemum, drinking chrysanthemum tea or wine, eating Chongyang pastry, and hanging Zhuyu (the fruit of medicinal cornel, Chinese herb).

The history of the festival comes from a story, telling that one day a man named Huanjing in Henan Province came across an elderly celestial being, who told him that a disaster might come to his family on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month. But there were ways to escape the disaster. The celestial being advised that the family soon carry with them a color bag with Zhuyu (the Chinese herb), climb to a hill and drink some chrysanthemum wine. Huanjing and his family followed the advice. When they returned home at night, Huanjing surprisingly found that all his domestic animals were dead, but the family members were safe and sound. Since then it has become a custom that, on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month, people will all go climbing, drinking Chrysanthemum Wine or Chrysanthemum tea and hanging Zhuyu at the door. The story may be a myth, but it tells the long-time wishful desire of the ancients to escape disasters.

But the fact is mountain climbing, enjoying the autumn view, is a very healthy activity for health which can release both physical and emotional stress. It is believed that Zhuyu, for its special scent, is able to drive the mosquitoes and insects away and when mixed with other herbs, it can cure many diseases. Chrysanthemum wine or tea can function as lowering down blood pressure, curing dizziness, and brightening vision.

For auspicious, people eat a special cake called Chongyang pastry. It was first designed by an royal chef to serve the noble families. Then the recipe was released to the folk community and it becomes a popular pastry during the Double Ninth Festival.

Many great poets throughout Chinese history have written famous poems describing the Double Ninth Festival. In recent years, The Double Ninth Festival has become a holiday for the elderly, as they have more time for exercising, enjoying chrysanthemum blossom, and drinking chrysanthemum tea.