Chrysanthemum is a timely flower, and it is the only one that flourishes in the first frost, so chrysanthemum is regarded as "timely grass" by the ancients. Because of its unique character, chrysanthemum has become a symbol of vitality. The independent chrysanthemum in cold and autumn has unusual cultural significance in the eyes of the ancients. In the eyes of Xiandao Fang Jia, it is a "life-prolonging guest" and an immortal grass. Therefore, enjoying chrysanthemums and drinking chrysanthemum wine have become the main festivals of Chongyang. Tao Yuanming, a recluse in Jin Dynasty, loved the nobility of chrysanthemums, and made clear his ambition through chrysanthemums. On September 9, although he was poor and had no wine, he went out and sat in the chrysanthemum bush next to his home. Over time, he was covered in chrysanthemums. Suddenly Jiangzhou secretariat Wang Hong sent chong yang wine, and Tao Yuanming "even wanted to take him home drunk". The wine that Tao Yuanming drank was probably chrysanthemum wine brewed by chrysanthemum last year.

Chrysanthemum wine is made of chrysanthemum and millet. "Chrysanthemums are comfortable, stems and leaves are picked, and millet is brewed. Drink it when it is ripe on September 9 next year, so it is called chrysanthemum wine. " Chrysanthemum wine brewed on September 9 was regarded as longevity wine in ancient times. Tai Qingji said, "On September 9th, I explored chrysanthemums, poria cocos and turpentine, but I never got old after a long service." Although chrysanthemum wine can't achieve the miraculous effect of "keeping people young", it does have the medicinal value of clearing away heat and toxic materials, expelling wind tomorrow, calming the liver and dispersing the lung, nourishing yin and tonifying kidney. The custom of making wine and tasting wine in Chongyang continues to spread among the people. In modern Shandong, tengxian, Linyi, Rizhao and other places also made chrysanthemum wine by Chongyang. There is a local proverb: "On September 9th, the Double Ninth Festival, chrysanthemums make wine full of fragrance."

Second, Chongyang cake

Chongyang cake, also known as flower cake, chrysanthemum cake and five-color cake, is made randomly. It was the original intention of the ancients to make cakes at dawn on September 9. The child put a cake on his head and said a word in his mouth, wishing the child all the best. Exquisite Chongyang cake should be made into nine layers, like a pagoda, with two lambs on it, which conforms to the meaning of Chongyang (sheep). Some people even put red paper flags (instead of dogwood) on Chongyang cakes and light candles. This probably means "lighting a lamp" and "eating a cake", not "climbing". At present, there is still no fixed variety of Chongyang cake, and the soft cakes eaten around Chongyang Festival are called Chongyang cakes.