“The "Double Ninth Festival", also known as the "Chong-yang festival", is a traditional Chinese festival which falls on the 9th day of the 9th month of the lunar calendar. It is also a time to show filial piety to the aged according to Chinese custom.
How will you spend the Double Ninth Festival? What will you do to honor the elders in your family on the day? Will you prepare gifts for them? If so, what gifts will you choose?
The ninth day of the ninth lunar month
The "Chong Yang Festival" is celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, and it is as such known as the Double Ninth Festival.
Origins: The festival began as early as the Warring States Period (475 - 221 BC). According to the yin/yang dichotomy that forms a basis to the Chinese world view, yin represents the elements of darkness and yang represents life and brightness. The number nine is regarded as yang. The ninth day of the ninth month is a double yang day, hence the name "Chong Yang Festival". (Chong means "repeat" in Chinese.) 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.
Climbing mountains: 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 "Old Men Festival". Old people are especially meant to improve their health by taking part in the activities on the day of the festival.
Family get-togethers: 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.
I will go to see chrysanthemum with my granddaughter.
The day before the festival is Sep. 8th that reminds me of a poem:
The Autumn truely comes on Sep. 8th,
who kills hundreds of flowers as blooms only chrysanthemum.
The scent peaking to heaven drills into the emperor's palace,
golden armors parade all around the city.
Post time 2009-10-23 10:38:35
Jack
