The Double Ninth Festival, also known as the Double Ninth Day, Senior Citizens' Festival, and Climbing Festival, is one of the important traditional festivals in China. It falls on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month every year.
In the I Ching (or Book of Changes), the number "9" is considered a yang number (representing positive energy). The overlap of two "9s" gives the festival its name "Chongyang" (Chong means "double"), which implies longevity and endurance.
This festival carries rich cultural connotations, integrating nature worship, filial piety ethics, and folk customs. It reflects the Chinese nation’s respect for life, nature, and family bonds.
Festival Customs
1. Climbing Heights
The festival has the custom of "climbing heights to avoid misfortune". Ancient people believed that the yang energy rises on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month, and climbing heights could absorb the energy of heaven and earth to ward off evil and pray for blessings. Modern people mostly take this opportunity to get close to nature, exercise, or climb to enjoy the distant view and express their feelings.
2. Admiring Chrysanthemums and Drinking Chrysanthemum Wine
Chrysanthemums symbolize nobility and longevity. When chrysanthemums are in full bloom during the festival, people hold chrysanthemum exhibitions and drink chrysanthemum wine, which implies longevity. Chrysanthemum wine is brewed from chrysanthemums, glutinous rice, and yeast, and was regarded as "longevity wine" in ancient times.
3. Wearing Cornel
Cornel is a type of fragrant herb. Ancient people believed it could repel insects and ward off evil. During the festival, they would insert cornel in their hair buns, wear it on their bodies, or make it into sachets to ensure safety.
4. Eating Double Ninth Cakes
Double Ninth Cakes, also known as "flower cakes" or "chrysanthemum cakes", are made from glutinous rice flour, red bean paste, etc., with multiple layers stacked together. They symbolize "making steady progress" (step by step promotion). In some regions, there is also the custom of "giving cakes"—children give Double Ninth Cakes to their elders to express filial piety.
5. Flying Kites
In some southern regions of China, flying kites is a custom during the Double Ninth Festival. Kites are painted with auspicious patterns. Flying them is believed to "release bad luck" and pray for good fortune.
Modern Significance
The Double Ninth Festival is not only a traditional festival but also an opportunity to promote the culture of filial piety and enhance intergenerational communication.
Various places hold activities to respect the elderly, such as community condolences, health lectures, and cultural performances. At the same time, the festival has integrated modern elements, such as mountain climbing competitions and chrysanthemum cultural festivals, to attract young people’s participation and inject new vitality into traditional customs.
The Double Ninth Festival is like a bottle of aged wine, carrying the Chinese nation’s awe for life and cherish for family affection. In the fast-paced modern life, it reminds us to slow down, climb heights to look far, be grateful to our parents, and pass on the virtue of filial piety—allowing traditional culture to shine with new glory in the new era.
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