Every autumn, when the ninth day of the ninth lunar month arrives, families across China gather to honor a centuries-old tradition: the Double Ninth Festival. But what makes this day so special, and why is the number nine celebrated twice? Known as Chongyang Jie, the festival is a blend of ancient customs, heartfelt remembrance, and seasonal celebration. It’s a time to cherish elders, scale heights, and enjoy blooming chrysanthemum flowers.

In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating origins, profound meanings, and vibrant customs of the Double Ninth Festival. Curious to discover why climbing mountains and drinking chrysanthemum wine are part of the festivities? Read on and uncover the charm behind this unique Chinese holiday.

The Double Ninth Festival: China’s Celebration of Longevity, Wisdom, and Climbing High

Related Video

What Is the Double Ninth Festival?

The Double Ninth Festival, also known as Chongyang Festival (重阳节, Chóngyáng jié), is a cherished traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth month in the lunar calendar. Though lesser-known internationally compared to the Chinese New Year or the Mid-Autumn Festival, Double Ninth is a time-honored celebration, rich with symbolism and heartwarming customs. It stands out as a day to appreciate the wisdom of elders, wish for health, and enjoy the beauty of autumn.

Origins and Historical Roots

Ancient Beginnings

The festival’s roots trace back over two thousand years, with mentions seen as early as the Warring States Period (475–221 BCE). Historical evidence suggests that ancient communities already observed rituals related to climbing high ground and warding off evil during the ninth lunar month.

The Legend Behind the Festival

A well-told legend gives the Double Ninth Festival its mystical allure: In the Eastern Han Dynasty, a young man named Hengjing was warned by a sage about an impending evil spirit that lived beside the Nu River. On the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, Hengjing led his fellow villagers up a mountain, carrying zhuyu (dogwood) leaves and drinking chrysanthemum wine. When they later returned, they found the spirit had indeed struck the area—but the villagers were unharmed because they had followed the sage’s protective advice. This story shaped the core traditions of mountain climbing and wearing aromatic plants for safety and good fortune.

The Meaning of “Double Ninth”

In ancient Chinese cosmology, odd numbers represent yang (阳)—the active, masculine, positive force. The number nine is the highest single-digit yang number. The ninth day of the ninth month “doubles” yang (chong yang), making the day highly auspicious and energetically potent. Because of this doubling, the festival is also known as the “Double Yang” festival.

Cultural Meaning and Symbolism

Auspiciousness and Balance

The Double Ninth Festival occurs at a transitional time in nature—late autumn—as the air grows crisp and leaves turn golden. This seasonal moment is seen as a time to strengthen oneself physically and spiritually, encouraging positive energies (yang) before the coming winter.

Respect for Elders and Longevity

A modern layer added to the festival is the deep respect for elders. In today’s China, the Double Ninth Festival is often called “Senior Citizens’ Day.” It has become a day to show gratitude, offer care, and wish for the longevity of parents, grandparents, and other senior members of the community. This focus fits well within Confucian ideals of filial piety and reverence for age.

Battling Calamity and Seeking Blessings

From its origins, the rituals of Chongyang have centered on warding off danger and misfortune. Aromatic plants and certain foods are thought to provide spiritual and physical protection, while the very act of “ascending high” is a hopeful gesture for greater prospect—climbing to success, health, and happiness.

Key Traditions and Activities

1. Climbing Mountains and High Towers

Perhaps the festival’s most iconic custom is climbing mountains or other tall structures. Originally intended as a physical and spiritual safeguard against evil, this tradition has evolved into a popular autumn outing. In cities lacking mountains, people often visit tall pagodas, city towers, or simply take a walk in a scenic park to “go high.”

2. Wearing Zhuyu (Dogwood) and Cornel Branches

The zhuyu plant, or dogwood, has a sharp fragrance believed to repel evil and disease. Tradition calls for people—especially children and the elderly—to pin dogwood branches to their clothing or carry them in sachets. In some provinces, chrysanthemum flowers are also worn for their supposed ability to drive away bad luck.

3. Admiring Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums bloom most beautifully around the Double Ninth Festival, making their appreciation an important part of the celebration. The flowers, with their hardiness and ability to flourish in autumn, symbolize longevity, resilience, and optimism. Many festivals, exhibitions, and even poetry salons are organized to enjoy their exquisite beauty.

4. Drinking Chrysanthemum Wine (or Tea)

Drinking chrysanthemum wine is a time-honored festival custom. The wine is believed to purify the body and prolong life—echoing the festival’s themes of health and resilience. Today, people may also enjoy chrysanthemum tea for a more gentle, fragrant alternative.

5. Eating Chongyang Cake

No Double Ninth Festival is complete without Chongyang Cake (重阳糕, Chóngyáng gāo). Though “cake” here refers to a type of steamed rice or flour pastry, it comes in many regional varieties, often layered to symbolize “rising higher every year.” Toppings like jujube dates, chestnuts, and nuts lend autumnal flavor and auspicious symbolism.

6. Paying Tribute to Ancestors

In several parts of China, the Double Ninth Festival also serves as a day for families to visit ancestral graves—cleaning tombs, offering food, and burning incense. While this practice is less widespread than at Qingming (Tomb-Sweeping Festival), it reflects the important role of ancestor veneration in Chinese culture.

7. Cherishing and Visiting Elders

On this day, younger family members visit or call their elders, offer small gifts, and sometimes host celebratory banquets in their honor. Many communities organize Elder Appreciation events, with performances, health check-ups, and communal meals.

Regional and International Variations

In Mainland China

Though the most formal celebrations are seen in northern and central China, Chongyang customs are practiced throughout the country, with local twists in food, festivities, and outdoor activities.

Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan

In Hong Kong and Macau, Double Ninth is a public holiday often paired with family outings and ancestor worship at cemeteries. In Taiwan, communities often hold mountain-hiking contests and group events to mark the day.

Other East Asian Cultures

Japan, Korea, and Vietnam have holidays with historical similarities to Chongyang, each blending local culture and meaning. In Japan, “Chōyō no Sekku” features chrysanthemum themes, though such customs have faded in everyday life.

Double Ninth in Art, Poetry, and Folklore

Throughout Chinese history, the Double Ninth Festival has inspired poets and artists. The theme of “climbing high and looking far” becomes a metaphor for longing, homesickness, and the search for perspective. Legendary poets like Wang Wei and Du Mu penned verses about separation, reunion, and the passing of seasons, set against crisp autumn skies.

Chrysanthemums—so closely associated with the festival—have been painted in delicate brushstrokes, and their hardy blooms recited in verse, most famously by Tao Yuanming, the “poet of chrysanthemums.”

Modern Relevance and Celebrations

City Events and Community Celebrations

Today, urban parks and scenic spots across China host Double Ninth climbing events, chrysanthemum exhibitions, and healthy-ageing fairs. Many schools and workplaces organize activities to honor the elderly.

Spotlight on Seniors

Since 1989, China officially designated the festival as “Senior Citizens’ Day,” encouraging gestures of support for the elderly population. Nursing homes and community centers arrange for performances, festive meals, and even group trips to ensure seniors are not forgotten.

Environmental and Health Awareness

With an increasing emphasis on health and wellness, climbing activities and outdoor gatherings during the festival echo modern concerns about physical exercise and mental well-being.

A Holiday for All Generations

Ultimately, the Double Ninth Festival has evolved into an intergenerational celebration—a time for young and old to connect, reflect on their roots, and look to the future with optimism.

Interesting Facts and Legends

• Name Play on “Cake” and “High”: In Chinese, “cake” (糕, gāo) is pronounced like “high” (高, gāo), making the Chongyang Cake a symbol of “rising higher.”
• Nine as the Ultimate Yang Number: The number nine not only represents longevity, but is also reserved for royals, often appearing in imperial architecture (like the Nine-Dragon Wall) and official ceremonies.
• Chrysanthemum’s Literary Place: Writers used chrysanthemums to symbolize noble character, resisting corruption like the flower resists the autumn chill.
• Migration of Traditions: As Chinese communities spread globally, the Double Ninth Festival is now marked by overseas Chinese and East Asian diaspora, sometimes blending with local autumn events.

Conclusion

The Double Ninth Festival may not be as globally famous as some other Chinese holidays, but it is deeply woven into the cultural fabric of China. It’s a beautiful synthesis of nature worship, respect for tradition, and heartfelt appreciation of elders. When communities come together to climb high, admire chrysanthemums, and honor their loved ones, they embody cherished values that bridge past and future. The Double Ninth Festival is truly a celebration of life, longevity, and reaching ever upwards—both on mountain peaks and in the journey of the soul.

FAQ

1. What is the Double Ninth Festival and when does it take place?

The Double Ninth Festival, or Chongyang Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday observed on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. In the Gregorian calendar, this usually falls in October. The exact date changes each year because it follows the lunar calendar.

2. Why is it called the “Double Ninth” or Chongyang Festival?

“Double Ninth” comes from it being the ninth day of the ninth month. The word “chong” (重) means “double” or “repeat,” and “yang” (阳) refers to the positive, masculine force in Chinese philosophy. The date’s two nines represent a doubling of yang energy, considered especially auspicious.

3. What are the main traditions associated with the festival?

Key traditions include climbing mountains or high towers, wearing zhuyu (dogwood) or cornel branches, admiring chrysanthemums, drinking chrysanthemum wine, eating Chongyang Cake, paying respects to ancestors, and visiting or honoring the elderly.

4. Why do people climb mountains on this day?

Climbing mountains has roots in ancient beliefs that being “high up” can help avoid evil and misfortune. It is also a way to absorb positive energy, enjoy nature, and symbolize progress and rising to new heights in life.

5. What foods are special for the Double Ninth Festival?

Chongyang Cake is the signature food, typically a layered rice or flour cake, sometimes topped with nuts and dried fruit. Chrysanthemum wine or tea is also enjoyed, both for its taste and its association with health and longevity.

6. Why are chrysanthemums important during this festival?

Chrysanthemums bloom in autumn, coinciding with the festival. They symbolize resilience and long life, reflecting the festival’s themes of persistence and healthy aging. Admiring chrysanthemums and sometimes wearing them is a festival tradition.

7. How is the Double Ninth Festival different today compared to ancient times?

While ancient customs focused on warding off evil and celebrating the harvest, today’s festival emphasizes honoring and caring for elders. Many families organize visits, banquets, or celebrations for senior family members. Public events and mountain hikes remain popular.

8. Is the Double Ninth Festival a public holiday everywhere in China?

It is a public holiday in Hong Kong and Macau, where most schools and businesses close for the day. Elsewhere in mainland China, it is not a statutory holiday, although it is widely celebrated.

9. Are there similar festivals in other countries?

Yes, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam each have festivals with historical ties to Chongyang, often featuring mountain climbing and autumn flower appreciation. These are sometimes celebrated under different names and with local customs.

10. Why is the festival also called “Senior Citizens’ Day”?

In 1989, China officially recognized the festival as a day to honor the elderly. The Double Ninth Festival now often features community events, performances, and gestures of appreciation aimed at showing respect and care for seniors, promoting harmony and family unity.