Rice CakesToday is the ninth day of the ninth lunar month and also marks the final day of the 9-Emperor Gods Festival. It is also known as double ninth day. It is known as Chong Yang Jie in Chinese because “Chong” means double, “Yang” suggests nine.
According to the I Ching, nine is a yang number; the ninth day of the ninth lunar month (or double nine) has too much yang and is thus a potentially dangerous date. Hence, the day is also called "Double Yang Festival" (重陽節). To protect against the danger, it is customary to climb a high mountain, drink chrysanthemum wine, 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.) Also on this holiday, some Chinese also visit the graves of their ancestors to pay their respects.
This day is celebrated as "Senior Citizens' Day" in Taiwan , given the younger generation the opportunity to care for and appreciate the elderly.
According to the I Ching, nine is a yang number; the ninth day of the ninth lunar month (or double nine) has too much yang and is thus a potentially dangerous date. Hence, the day is also called "Double Yang Festival" (重陽節). To protect against the danger, it is customary to climb a high mountain, drink chrysanthemum wine, 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.) Also on this holiday, some Chinese also visit the graves of their ancestors to pay their respects.
This day is celebrated as "Senior Citizens' Day" in Taiwan , given the younger generation the opportunity to care for and appreciate the elderly.
ACTIVITIES DURING THE DOUBLE NINE
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. Stores sell rice cakes (糕 "gāo", a homonym for height 高) inserted with mini colorful flags to represent zhuyu. Most people drink chrysanthemum tea, while a few strict traditionalists drink homemade chrysanthemum wine. Children in school learn poems about chrysanthemums, and many localities host a chrysanthemum exhibit. Mountain climbing races are also popular; winners get to wear a wreath made of zhuyu.
Climbing Heights (Mountains)
People like to climb heights (mountains) on this festival, so Double Ninth Festival is also called “Mountain-climbing Festival ". Apart from expelling bad luck and disasters, climbing mounting also indicates “climbing to a higher position”, and it is also an important reason why ancient people pay much attention about this custom. Another reason that climbing mountains are valued by people, especially by the elderly is that is has a meaning of “climb to a longevous life”. Also for this reason people believe that climbing mountains can make people live a more longevous life.
People like to climb heights (mountains) on this festival, so Double Ninth Festival is also called “Mountain-climbing Festival ". Apart from expelling bad luck and disasters, climbing mounting also indicates “climbing to a higher position”, and it is also an important reason why ancient people pay much attention about this custom. Another reason that climbing mountains are valued by people, especially by the elderly is that is has a meaning of “climb to a longevous life”. Also for this reason people believe that climbing mountains can make people live a more longevous life.
Enjoying Chrysanthemum Flowers
Chrysanthemum originated in China and was recorded in some Chinese books as early as the 5th century B.C. The flower was introduced, as imperial flower, into Japan in the Tang Dynasty. Then it was introduced into Britain in the 12th century, into the continent of Europe in the 17th century, and into the USA in the 19th century. Also known as “yellow flower”, chrysanthemum is of varied species in the composite family. Though its florescence lasts long, this perennial herb usually begins to bloom in the 9th lunar month, lending much festive flavor to the Double Ninth Day. That’s why the month is also referred to as “the month of chrysanthemum”.
Chrysanthemum originated in China and was recorded in some Chinese books as early as the 5th century B.C. The flower was introduced, as imperial flower, into Japan in the Tang Dynasty. Then it was introduced into Britain in the 12th century, into the continent of Europe in the 17th century, and into the USA in the 19th century. Also known as “yellow flower”, chrysanthemum is of varied species in the composite family. Though its florescence lasts long, this perennial herb usually begins to bloom in the 9th lunar month, lending much festive flavor to the Double Ninth Day. That’s why the month is also referred to as “the month of chrysanthemum”.
Enjoying rice cakes
The Double Ninth cake is also known as “chrysanthemum cake” or “flower cake”. It dates back to the Zhou Dynasty (the 11th century – 256 BC). It is said that the cake was originally prepared after autumn harvests for farmers to have a taste of what was just in season, and it gradually grew into the present cake for people to eat on the Double Ninth Day. The cake was usually made of glutinous rice flour, millet flour or bean flour.
The Double Ninth cake is also known as “chrysanthemum cake” or “flower cake”. It dates back to the Zhou Dynasty (the 11th century – 256 BC). It is said that the cake was originally prepared after autumn harvests for farmers to have a taste of what was just in season, and it gradually grew into the present cake for people to eat on the Double Ninth Day. The cake was usually made of glutinous rice flour, millet flour or bean flour.
Showing respect for the elderly
In the recent years something new was added into the old festival and it became an annual “Respect-the-Senior Festival”. Every time it comes to this day, people will hold all kinds of activities to show their wish for the senior people that they can always keep healthy and happy.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Ninth_Festival
http://www.chinainfoonline.com/ChineseFestival/Double_Ninth_Festival.htm
In the recent years something new was added into the old festival and it became an annual “Respect-the-Senior Festival”. Every time it comes to this day, people will hold all kinds of activities to show their wish for the senior people that they can always keep healthy and happy.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Ninth_Festival
http://www.chinainfoonline.com/ChineseFestival/Double_Ninth_Festival.htm
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