Double Ninth Festival
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The Double Ninth Festival, also known as the Chongyang Festival, is held on the ninth day of the ninth month of the lunar year (around harvest time in fall), hence the name Double Ninth.
Chong means double in Chinese and nine is an odd number so it's name in Chinese is Chongyang.
The festival itself is based on Yin and Yang. Yin being feminine with even numbers (negative principal) and Yang being masculine with odd numbers ( positive principal). The ninth day of the ninth month of the lunar year is when they meet.
The weather is usually very nice around the Double Ninth festival so many people go hiking and have picnics.
People usually carry sprigs of dogwood the reason being: There was once a man named Huan Jing, he was learning magic from another man by the name of Fei Changfang. One day they were climbing a mountain. Fei Changfang stopped quite suddenly looking very upset. He told Huan Jing that on the ninth day of the ninth month a disaster would come to his hometown. He also told Huan Jing that if he wanted to avoid this disaster he must get some red bags, put a sprig of dogwood in them, tie them onto the arms of his family, and then climb to the top of the highest mountain. Huan Jing returned home and did as he was told. When he and his family returned to their home they found all their animals dead. When Huan Jing saw Fei Changfang again he asked him why the animals had died. Fei Changfang replied by saying that the animals had died instead of Huan JIng's family.
This was written in the book Xu Qi Xie Ji by Wu Jun during the sixth century. Drinking wine and carrying chrysanthemums are also traditional. The Double Ninth Festival was around during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC). Meaning it is very, very old.
During the Double Ninth Festival people visit graves and burn paper clothing. They burn paper because the ninth month means that winter is approaching and the people as well as their ancestors need to be warm.
Traditionally, people also climb mountains, drink chrysanthemum wine, and eat double ninth cakes.
Chrysanthemums are used to air out houses and cure illnesses. People use chrysanthemums because of their "cleansing quality". The Double Ninth Festival is also a day to admire and appreciate these flowers
Double Ninth cakes are supposed to bring prosperity. They can sometimes be several layers tall.
The Double Ninth Festival is also "Old Men Festival". Elderly people are meant to take part in the activities because it's supposed ti make them healthier.
Also,this festival is a time for families to get together. They remember ancestors, the sacrifices they made as well as the hardships they went through. When the family goes out it is usually very organized. They families may show their appreciation for nature or show their love and/or concern for family members and good friends.