Denggao
In ancient times, folk in the Chung Yeung has the custom of ascending the heights, so the Chung Yeung Festival is also known as the "Festival of Ascending Heights". It is rumored that this custom began in the Eastern Han Dynasty. In the Tang Dynasty, there were many poems written by literati, most of which were about the customs of the Chongyang Festival; Du Fu's seven rhymes, "Ascending to the heights", is a famous piece of writing about ascending to the heights of the Chongyang Festival. There is no standardized rule on where to go, but generally it is to climb high mountains and high towers. There is also the custom of eating "Chrysanthemum Cake".
Eating Chrysanthemum Cake
According to historical records, the Chrysanthemum Cake is also known as the flower cake, chrysanthemum cake, five-color cake, the system is not fixed, more random. September 9 when the sky is bright, to piece of cake on the forehead of the children, the mouth read the words, wishing the children all things high, is the ancient people in September for the cake's original intention. The delicate Chongyang cake to be made into nine layers, like a pagoda, the top is also made into two small sheep, in line with the meaning of Chongyang (sheep). Some also inserted a small red paper flag on the cake, and light candles. This is probably the "light", "eat cake" instead of "high" meaning, with a small red paper flag instead of cornelian cherry. Today's Chongyang cake, there is still no fixed varieties, all over the Chongyang Festival to eat the fluffy cakes are called Chongyang cake.
Appreciating chrysanthemums and drinking chrysanthemum wine
The Chrysanthemum Festival is the time of the year when chrysanthemums are in full bloom, and it is rumored that the practice of enjoying chrysanthemums and drinking chrysanthemum wine originated with Tao Yuanming, a great poet of the Jin Dynasty. Tao Yuanming was famous for living in seclusion, famous for poetry, famous for wine, and famous for his love of chrysanthemums; later generations followed his example, and then there was the custom of enjoying chrysanthemums at the Chrysanthemum Festival. In the old days, the literati and scholars also combined chrysanthemum-appreciation with banquets and drinks, in order to get closer to Tao Yuanming. In Kaifeng, the capital of Northern Song Dynasty, the chrysanthemum-appreciation style was prevalent, and there were many varieties of chrysanthemums with a variety of shapes. Folk also called the ninth month of the lunar calendar "the month of chrysanthemums", and in the Chrysanthemum Festival where chrysanthemums blossomed in the frost, chrysanthemum-viewing became an important part of the festival. After the Qing Dynasty, the practice of chrysanthemum appreciation is particularly prosperous, and is not limited to the ninth day of the ninth month, but is still the most prosperous before and after the Chrysanthemum Festival.
Plugging cornelian cherry and hairpin chrysanthemum
The custom of plugging cornelian cherry at the Chongyang Festival was already common in the Tang Dynasty. Ancient people believed that on the day of the Chongyang Festival to insert cornelian cherry can take refuge from disasters; or wear in the arm, or as incense bags to put the cornelian cherry inside the belt, there are also inserted in the head. Mostly women, children wear, some places, men also wear. Chrysanthemum Festival to wear cornelian cherry, in the Jin Dynasty Ge Hong "Western Scripture Miscellany" has been recorded. In addition to wearing dogwood, people also wear chrysanthemums on their heads. This was already the case in the Tang Dynasty and has been practiced throughout the ages. In the Qing Dynasty, the custom of the Chongyang Festival in Beijing was to put chrysanthemum branches and leaves on doors and windows to "lift up the evils and attract good luck". This is a variation of the head hairpin chrysanthemum. Song Dynasty, there will be colorful silk cut into cornelian cherry, chrysanthemum to give each other to wear.
Drinking Chrysanthemum Wine
"Chrysanthemum Wine" is sweet wine made from high-quality glutinous rice, which is put into small ceramic jars and sealed on Chrysanthemum Day. Probably because the temperature and humidity are more suitable, the wine is particularly mellow, the best of the rice wine, sweet and pure, suitable for both men and women, originating in the Northwest ethnic minorities.
"Chrysanthemum wine" means "chrysanthemum wine". Every year at the time of the Chrysanthemum Festival, the earliest chrysanthemum flower bones have grown up and want to blossom, which is the best material for making "Chrysanthemum Wine"!