It is a traditional folk festival in China, which falls on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month every year. The number of "Nine" is a positive number in the Book of Changes, and the two positive numbers of "Nine Nine" are heavy, so it is called "Chongyang"; It is also called "double ninth" because the day and the month all meet nine.

Returning to the truth in 1999, one yuan began, and the ancients thought that Chongyang in 1999 was an auspicious day. In ancient times, there were customs such as climbing to pray for blessings, worshipping gods and ancestors, and drinking and praying for longevity on the Double Ninth Festival. Inherited to this day, it has added connotations such as respecting the elderly. Climbing the mountain to enjoy autumn and giving thanks to respect for the elderly are two important themes of today's Double Ninth Festival. ?

The custom of the ninth day of September

1, Denggao

In ancient times, there was a folk custom of climbing in Chongyang, so the Double Ninth Festival was also called "Climbing Festival".

According to legend, this custom began in the Eastern Han Dynasty. There are many climbing poems written by scholars in Tang Dynasty, most of which are the custom of writing the Double Ninth Festival. Du Fu's seven laws "Ascending the Mountain" is a famous article about climbing the mountain in Chongyang. There is no uniform rule for climbing, but generally climbing mountains and towers. There is also the custom of eating "Chongyang cake".

2. Enjoy chrysanthemum and drink chrysanthemum wine

The Double Ninth Festival is the golden autumn season of the year, and chrysanthemums are in full bloom. It is said that enjoying chrysanthemums and drinking chrysanthemum wine originated from Tao Yuanming, a great poet in the Jin Dynasty. Tao Yuanming is famous for his seclusion, his poetry, his wine and his love for chrysanthemums. Later generations have followed suit, so there is a custom of appreciating chrysanthemums in Chongyang.

3. Eat Chongyang cake

According to historical records, Chongyang cake, also known as flower cake, chrysanthemum cake and five-color cake, is made randomly. At dawn on September 9, it was the original intention of the ancients to make cakes in September, with a piece of cake on their children's heads and saying something in their mouths, wishing their children all the best.

The exquisite Chongyang cake should be made into nine layers, like a pagoda, with two lambs on it to conform to the meaning of Chongyang (sheep).

4. Insert Evodia rutaecarpa

The custom of inserting Evodia rutaecarpa on the Double Ninth Festival was very common in the Tang Dynasty. The ancients thought that inserting Evodia rutaecarpa on the Double Ninth Festival could take refuge and eliminate disasters. Or wear it on the arm, or make a sachet and put cornus in it, or put it on your head. Most of them are worn by women and children, and in some places, men also wear them.