The Chóng Yáng Festival 重阳节, also known as the Double Ninth Festival, is celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month.
According to the Chinese "阴yīn-阳yáng" dichotomy, the number nine is regarded as 阳yáng, which represents life and brightness. The ninth day of the ninth month is a double 阳yáng day, hence the name "Chóng Yáng Festival". (Chóng means "repeat" in Mandarin Chinese.)
 |
| Show love and care to parents and the elderly family members. |
The ninth month also heralds the approach of winter. It is a time when the living need warm clothing, and filial Chinese sons and daughters extended this to make the festival a time for providing winter clothes for their ancestors. The Double Ninth Festival, therefore, also became an occasion to visit the graves of dead family members. Clothes made of paper would then be burnt as offerings.
On the Double Ninth Festival, people customarily climb mountains, appreciate chrysanthemum flowers, drink chrysanthemum wine, and eat double-ninth cakes. The Double Ninth Festival is also the "Elderly's Festival". Old people are especially meant to improve their health by taking part in the activities on the day of the festival. |
| Be grateful to parents. |
The Double Ninth Festival is also a time for family get-togethers. It is an occasion to remember one's ancestors, the sacrifices they made and the hardships they underwent. Often, family outings are organised during which people search to renew their appreciation of nature and to reaffirm their love and concern for family members and close friends.
(Source: http://dragonkids.chinadaily.com.cn/tour/holiday/chongyang.html)
(Source: http://dragonkids.chinadaily.com.cn/tour/holiday/chongyang.html)
