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Double Ninth Festival

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Double Ninth Festival
Chai Wan Cemetery, Hong Kong, 2015
Observed byChinese, Japanese, Koreans[1]
Date9th day of the 9th lunisolar month
2024 date11 October
2025 date29 October
2026 date18 October
2027 date8 October
FrequencyAnnual
Double Ninth Festival
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese重陽節
Simplified Chinese重阳节
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinChóngyáng jié
Wade–GilesCh'ung2-yang2 chieh2
IPA[ʈʂʰʊ̌ŋ.jǎŋ tɕjě]
Wu
SuzhouneseZon yan tsih
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationChùhng-yèuhng jit
JyutpingCung4-joeng4 zit3
Southern Min
Tâi-lôTiông-iông-tsueh
Korean name
Hangul중양절[1][2]
Hanja重陽節
Transcriptions
Revised RomanizationJungyangjeol
Japanese name
Kanji重陽の節句[3]
Transcriptions
Revised HepburnChōyō no Sekku
Chrysanthemum Festival
Japanese name
Kanji菊の節句
Transcriptions
Revised HepburnKiku no Sekku

The Double Ninth Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday observed on the ninth day of the ninth month in the Chinese calendar. According to Wu Jun, it dates back to the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 AD).[1]

The Double Ninth Festival is rooted in the ancient Chinese theory of Yin and Yang, which posits that all things in nature are composed of two opposing yet complementary principles.[4] Yin symbolizes femininity, representing softness and passivity, while Yang symbolizes masculinity, representing strength and activity. The ancients believed that all natural phenomena could be explained through this theory. Numbers are also closely related to Yin and Yang, with even numbers belonging to Yin and odd numbers to Yang. Therefore, the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, where two Yang numbers coincide, is called the "Double Ninth" Festival. [5]In Chinese, "double" (重) signifies repetition. Since ancient times, the Double Ninth Festival has been regarded as an important traditional celebration.

This philosophical foundation is further reinforced by the I Ching, an ancient Chinese text, which also identifies nine as a Yang number. According to the I Ching, nine is a yang number; the ninth day of the ninth month in the Chinese calendar (or double nine) has extra yang (a traditional Chinese spiritual concept) and is thus an auspicious date.[6] Hence, the day is also called "Double Yang Festival" (重陽節).[7] It is customary to climb a mountain,[8][9] drink chrysanthemum liquor,[8][9] and wear the zhuyu (茱萸) plant (Cornus officinalis). Both chrysanthemum and zhuyu are considered to have cleansing qualities and are used on other occasions to air out houses and cure illnesses.

During the Tang Dynasty, Empress Wu Zetian strategically utilized the Double Ninth Festival to reinforce both her political legitimacy and spiritual authority. She orchestrated elaborate palace rituals that emphasized the festival’s symbolism of yang energy, longevity, and cosmic harmony. By linking the Double Ninth Festival with the Daoist goddess Queen Mother of the West, Wu projected an image of herself as a sacred and celestial ruler. Her choice of this auspicious date—marked by the doubling of the yang number nine—served to assert her dominion over both earthly and spiritual realms, enhancing the religious and cosmological justification for her reign.[10]

On this holiday, some Chinese also visit the graves of their ancestors to pay their respects.[9] In Hong Kong and Macau, whole extended families head to ancestral graves to clean them, repaint inscriptions and lay out food offerings such as roast suckling pig and fruit, which are then eaten (after the spirits have consumed the spiritual element of the food). Chongyang cake is also popular[7] and incense sticks are burned during the holiday.[11]

Folk Custom

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Wearing Zhuyu

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In ancient times, it was a traditional custom to wear dogwood (zhuyu) during the Double Ninth Festival. There are two main types of dogwood: Tetradium ruticarpum (吴茱萸) and Cornus officinalis (山茱萸), both commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. Wu zhuyu is hot in nature and has a bitter, pungent taste. It is known for warming the body and relieving pain, and is often used to treat symptoms such as stomach cold, abdominal pain, and vomiting.[12] Shan zhuyu, on the other hand, is slightly warm in nature and has a sour and astringent taste. It helps nourish the liver and kidneys and strengthen the body, making it effective for conditions like sore lower back, dizziness, and tinnitus. [13]People believed that wearing zhuyu could ward off evil spirits, prevent misfortune, and protect against illness.

Chongyang Cake

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The Double Ninth cake, also known as "chrysanthemum cake" or "flower cake", originated in the Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC - 256 BC). The Chongyang cake is a traditional food associated with the Double Ninth Festival, and it is typically made with glutinous rice and layered with ingredients such as jujubes, chestnuts, and other nuts. [14]The symbolism behind the ingredients is rich, with chestnuts representing longevity and jujubes symbolizing vitality. The cake’s round shape signifies unity, and the tradition of making it is seen as a way to enhance family unity and honor ancestors. In modern times, many variations of the cake have emerged. Some families add additional ingredients like red bean or osmanthus flower to cater to younger generations’tastes, blending tradition with modern culinary preferences. The Chongyang cake has evolved from a simple homemade treat into a commercialized product sold in bakeries during the festival season, reflecting the changing dynamics of food traditions in modern Chinese society.

Chrysanthemum Wine

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The Double Ninth Festival is also known as the "Chrysanthemum Festival" due to the tradition of drinking chrysanthemum wine. According to the Records of the Western Capital (Xijing Zaji), the wine is made by picking chrysanthemum flowers and leaves on the Double Ninth Day, fermenting them with millet, and storing the mixture for a year before drinking it the following festival.[12] It is believed that chrysanthemum wine promotes longevity. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is said to improve eyesight, relieve dizziness, lower blood pressure, aid digestion, nourish the liver, and promote overall well-being.[15] This tradition reflects the blending of health practices with cultural rituals.

Releasing paper kite

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In southern China, flying kites is one of the important traditional customs of the Double Ninth Festival. In addition to mountain climbing, there is also the belief that flying kites on this day can "drive away bad luck and ward off evil." [16]According to legend, people believe that by flying kites during the festival, they can send away any misfortune or bad luck with the wind. [17]The higher and farther the kite flies, the more effectively it drives away the bad luck. Some even intentionally cut the kite string, allowing the kite to drift into the clouds, symbolizing the complete departure of misfortune and the welcoming of good fortune. This custom expresses people's heartfelt wishes for health, peace, and good luck.[17]

Climbing

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During the Double Ninth Festival, climbing to a high place is an important custom, both to avert misfortune and to promote physical well‑being. People often ascend mountains or towers together to seek good fortune and dispel bad luck. In ancient times, villagers worshipped mountain deities and believed in the saying “ninth nine brings old yang, and extreme yang must change,” so they chose the ninth day of the ninth month to climb high, gaze into the distance, and offer sacrifices to the mountain gods. [18]This practice dates back to the Eastern Han Dynasty, and Tang poets such as Du Fu composed poems celebrating the tradition of ascending heights on Double Ninth. Whether atop lofty peaks or tall towers, any elevated site could serve as a place for this auspicious climb. Of course, in ancient times, climbing high was not limited to the act of ascending itself; people would also admire the red leaves and wildflowers on the mountains, drink wine, and enjoy a hearty feast. Whether in the past or today, the combination of mountain climbing and festive banqueting has always been a delightful pairing.[19]

Ancestor Worship

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The Double Ninth Festival is one of the four major traditional Chinese festivals dedicated to ancestor worship. In ancient times, it was customary among the people to hold rituals to honor their ancestors and pray for blessings. This tradition of ancestor worship during the Double Ninth Festival remains prevalent today, particularly in the Lingnan region, where families continue to hold ancestral rites every year on this day. [20]Whether it is paying respects to ancestors or climbing to high places, the core purpose of these customs is to strengthen cultural identity and enhance family and social cohesion. In traditional Chinese customs, Qingming is known as the "Spring Festival of Ancestral Worship," while the Double Ninth is regarded as the "Autumn Festival of Ancestral Worship." The longstanding practice of honoring ancestors through mountain climbing during the Double Ninth Festival has been passed down through generations.[21]

In addition to these customs, the Double Ninth Festival has long been a subject of artistic expression. In Yuan dynasty Sanqu poetry, works depicting the festival often carry a tinge of melancholy alongside celebratory sentiments. [22]This emotional duality has ancient roots, typically emerging from autumn-induced wistfulness while blending with the carpe diem philosophy of "drinking tonight while the wine is flowing." [22]This sentiment combines both nostalgia for the past and a cherishing of present joy, forming a distinctive emotional theme in the cultural expression of the Double Ninth Festival.

Origin

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The origins of the festival date back as early as the Warring States period[23]

During the Eastern Han Dynasty, a plague demon haunted the Ru River, claiming many lives. Huan Jing, who lost his parents to the epidemic, sought an immortal’s guidance to defeat it. [24]On the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, the immortal warned him of the demon’s return.[25] Huan Jing led the villagers to higher ground, instructing them to wear dogwood and drink chrysanthemum wine. Overwhelmed by the scent, the demon grew dizzy, and Huan Jing seized the chance to slay it. Since then, climbing high, wearing dogwood, and drinking chrysanthemum wine have become traditions of the Double Ninth Festival.

This legend involving Huan Jing later evolved into another well-known story that connects these customs to his master, Fei Changfang.

According to legend, the traditions of hiking and drinking chrysanthemum wine on this day began with the Han dynasty man Fei Changfang [zh] and his disciple Huan Jing [zh].[6] One year, Fei advised Huan to bring chrysanthemum wine and food and climb a mountain with his family on the ninth day of the ninth month.[6] Huan followed his master's instructions, and when he returned home he found that his livestock had all suddenly died; if he had not climbed the mountain as instructed, the same would have happened to him and his family.[9][6][26]

An alternative origin story involves intrigue in the imperial court of Emperor Gaozu of Han. As part of Empress Lü's jealous plot against Consort Qi, the latter's maid was forced out of the imperial palace.[7] The maid, surnamed Jia (賈; 贾), told the common people that in the palace it was customary to wear dogwood and drink chrysanthemum wine on the ninth day of the ninth month, and these customs spread more widely.[7]

In 1966, Taiwan rededicated the holiday as "Senior Citizens' Day",[27] underscoring one custom as it is observed in Mainland China, where the festival is also an opportunity to care for and appreciate the elderly.[28]

Double Ninth may have originated as a day to drive away danger, but like the Chinese New Year, over time, it became a day of celebration. In contemporary times, it is an occasion for hiking and chrysanthemum appreciation.[6][29] Other activities include flying kites, making flower cakes, and welcoming married daughters back home for visiting.[29]

Stores sell rice cakes (糕 "gāo", a homophone for height 高) with mini colorful flags to represent zhuyu. Most people drink chrysanthemum tea, while a few traditionalists drink homemade chrysanthemum wine. Children learn poems about chrysanthemums and many localities host chrysanthemum exhibits. Mountain climbing races are also popular; winners get to wear a wreath made of zhuyu.

The customs of mountain climbing, feasting, and enjoying nature during the Double Ninth Festival serve to reunite family and friends, strengthening the awareness of the desire for togetherness and the joy of celebrating the festival.[30] As a theme in Chinese classical poetry, many famous poems were written by poets from the Tang and Song dynasties. One of the most famous is "Thinking of My Brothers on the Ninth Day of the Ninth Month" by Tang poet Wang Wei, which expresses his deep homesickness and longing for his family. This poem not only reflects the traditional custom of climbing mountains during the Double Ninth Festival but also symbolizes the ascent to physical heights and the elevation of moral values. Many poems written during the Double Ninth Festival touch upon themes of separation, homesickness, and the beauty of the autumn season, capturing the emotional depth of the cultural significance of the festival.

Moral Traditions and Cultural Heritage

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The Double Ninth Festival originally started as a holiday to ward off evil and avoid disasters, but over time, its connection to filial piety has become increasingly close.[31] Filial piety, rooted in Confucian thought, emphasizes the respect and care that children should show to their parents and elders. [32]This tradition is reflected in the Double Ninth Festival, which has become a time for people to express their respect and gratitude toward the elderly, often through activities such as celebrating their longevity and spending time with them.

During the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), Emperor Kangxi famously hosted a banquet for a thousand elderly citizens during the Double Ninth Festival to promote the virtues of filial piety and respect for the elderly. [33]This tradition continues to this day, with people preparing festival gifts and spending time with their parents and elders. In some regions, eating crabs has become an integral part of the celebration. As the autumn chill sets in, people prepare warm clothing for their elders, present seasonal hairy crabs, and serve steaming ginger tea—creating a perfect harmony of warmth and nourishment that embodies the festival’s heartfelt spirit of honoring and caring for the elderly.

Building upon this moral foundation, the lifestyle traditions of the Double Ninth Festival carry profound cultural significance, encompassing not only practices for warding off evil and praying for peace, but also celebrating longevity, honoring the elderly, and expressing nostalgia for hometowns and friends. [34]Among these, the moral traditions of respecting, venerating, and practicing filial piety have become the dominant theme in the festival's cultural inheritance and promotion.[33] Rooted in these traditions, a comprehensive knowledge system and way of life surrounding the Double Ninth Festival has gradually developed, marked by rigorous cultural logic and distinctive local characteristics.

Outside China

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Japan

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Karasu-zumo (literally 'crow sumo'), is a part of the festivities held on September 9 at Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto

In Japan, the festival is known as Chōyō but also as the Chrysanthemum Festival (菊の節句, Kiku no Sekku) and it is one of Japan's five sacred ancient festivals (sekku).[35][36][37] It is most commonly celebrated on the 9th day of the 9th month according to the Gregorian calendar rather than the lunisolar calendar, i.e. on September 9. It is celebrated at both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.[38] The festival is celebrated in the wish for the longevity of one's life and is observed by drinking chrysanthemum sake and eating dishes such as chestnut rice (kuri-gohan) and chestnuts with glutinous rice (kuri-mochi).[37]

Korea

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In Korea, the festival is known as Jungyangjeol (중양절; 重陽節), and it is celebrated on the 9th day of the 9th month.[2] Koreans would consume chrysanthemum leaves in pancakes. As the festival is meant to celebrate and cultivate good health, outdoor activities such as carrying dogwood, climbing hills or mountains for picnics, and gazing at chrysanthemum blossoms are carried out.[1][2]

North America

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In the United States and Canada, many families gather in cemeteries during early autumn to celebrate the Double Ninth Festival and honor their loved ones. In areas with a large Asian population, some even host large memorial events, attracting many families to pay their respects. [39]Dignity Memorial cemeteries, such as Forest Lawn Memorial Park and Ocean View Burial Park in British Columbia, Rose Hills Memorial Park in California, Palm Eastern Mortuary in Nevada, and Memorial Oaks Cemetery and Moore Memorial Gardens in Texas, all carry family memories and witness the continuation of the Double Ninth Festival culture in North America.

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  • Participants arrive at the Chai Wan Cemetery, Hong Kong, 2015
    Participants arrive at the Chai Wan Cemetery, Hong Kong, 2015
  • Chai Wan Cemetery Hong Kong, 2015
    Chai Wan Cemetery Hong Kong, 2015
  • Chai Wan Cemetery, Hong Kong, 2015
    Chai Wan Cemetery, Hong Kong, 2015
  • Xian Tang Village, Dongguan, China, 2015
    Xian Tang Village, Dongguan, China, 2015
  • Xian Tang Village, Dongguan, China, 2015
    Xian Tang Village, Dongguan, China, 2015

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Roy, Christian (2004). Traditional Festivals: A Multicultural Encyclopedia. pp. 116. ISBN 978-1576070895.
  2. ^ a b c National Folk Museum of Korea (2015). Encyclopedia of Korean Seasonal Customs: Encyclopedia of Korean Folklore and Traditional Culture. Gil-Job-Ie Media. p. 232.
  3. ^ Choyo no Sekku at kikuko-nagoya.com
  4. ^ "The Double Ninth Festival". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  5. ^ "重阳节的由来和重阳节的习俗_文化频道_中华网". culture.china.com. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  6. ^ a b c d e Stepanchuk, Carol (1991). Mooncakes and Hungry Ghosts: Festivals of China. San Francisco: China Books & Periodicals. pp. 89–91. ISBN 0-8351-2481-9.
  7. ^ a b c d Wei, Liming (2010). Chinese Festivals: Traditions, Customs and Rituals (Second ed.). Beijing. pp. 54–57. ISBN 9787508516936.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  8. ^ a b Eberhard, Wolfram (1952). "The Mid-Autumn Festival". Chinese Festivals. New York: H. Wolff. pp. 110–111.
  9. ^ a b c d 陳瑞璋 (2001). 認識中國傳統節日和風俗. Hong Kong. p. 45. ISBN 9621419573.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  10. ^ Juemin, Cai (2020). "A False Dao? Popular Daoism in America". Journal of Daoist Studies. 13 (13): 106–135. doi:10.1353/dao.2020.0004. ISSN 1941-5524.
  11. ^ Chung Yueng Festival, Discover Hong Kong
  12. ^ a b "九九重阳节 传统习俗之养生功效 | 大纪元". 大纪元 www.epochtimes.com (in Simplified Chinese). 2017-11-13. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  13. ^ "最美中国节：重阳". www.chinanews.com.cn. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  14. ^ "重阳节的习俗". www.gov.cn. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  15. ^ "重阳节有哪些习俗？重阳节传统习俗及各地习俗盘点_文化频道_中华网". culture.china.com. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  16. ^ 管理员 (2024-07-21). "重阳节（中国传统节日）". 国学谷 (in Simplified Chinese). Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  17. ^ a b "除了登高、饮酒，重阳节还有这些你不了解的习俗_文化频道_中华网". culture.china.com. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  18. ^ "登高_20241010节日民俗_泉州文明网". qz.wenming.cn. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  19. ^ "科普丨重阳节的这些习俗你都知道吗？ - 中国军网". www.81.cn. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  20. ^ "The Double Ninth Festival". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  21. ^ "Double Ninth Festival :Chongyang Jie In Chinese Culture". Chinese showcase. 2024-10-11. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  22. ^ a b "万方数据知识服务平台". d.wanfangdata.com.cn. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-2006.2016.01.016. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  23. ^ "The Double Ninth Festival". China Daily. November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  24. ^ sina_mobile (2018-10-09). "重阳节的起源与由来传说". news.sina.cn. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  25. ^ "重阳节的起源与传说，你了解多少？". www.visitbeijing.com.cn. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  26. ^ 中國節日的故事 (in Chinese) (1st ed.). Taipei: 將門文物出版社. 2001. pp. 226–237. ISBN 957-755-300-1.
  27. ^ "Chrysanthemums, Climbing, and Consideration of the Elderly - Double Ninth Day". Gio.gov.tw. Archived from the original on May 15, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
  28. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-10-28. Retrieved 2007-10-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  29. ^ a b Zhao, Rongguang (2015). A History of Food Culture in China. SCPG Publishing Corporation. p. 14. ISBN 978-1938368165.
  30. ^ "万方数据知识服务平台". d.wanfangdata.com.cn. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-1730.2023.03.006. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  31. ^ Jie, Wu; Langchen, Sun; Li, Jiang. "Celebrating enriched lives of senior citizens in Chongyang Festival as China builds age-friendly society - Global Times". www.globaltimes.cn. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  32. ^ "Explainer: The evolution of China's Double Ninth Festival". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  33. ^ a b "万方数据知识服务平台". d.wanfangdata.com.cn. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-1395.2021.02.006. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  34. ^ 中国天气 (2018-10-09). "重阳节是在过什么？". news.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  35. ^ "Chrysanthemum Festival". The Free Dictionary. 2010. Retrieved 2015-06-08.
  36. ^ 菊の節句(重陽の節句) [The Chrysanthemum Festival (The Choyo Festival)] (in Japanese). 英語対訳で読む日本の文化. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  37. ^ a b "Chapter 3: Kiku no sekku". Japan Federation of Pottery Wholesalers’ Co-operative Association. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  38. ^ "Autumn (July - September)". Tokyo Metropolitan Library. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  39. ^ "Chung Yeung—Double Ninth Festival". Dignity Memorial. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
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