View source for Double Ninth Festival

{{Short description|Traditional Chinese holiday}}
{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name  = Double Ninth Festival<br /><small>Chung Yeung Festival</small>
| official_name = 
| image         = Chai Wan Cemetery Hong Kong Double Ninth Festival 01.jpg
| caption       = Chai Wan Cemetery, Hong Kong, 2015
| observedby    = [[Han Chinese|Chinese]], [[Japanese people|Japanese]], [[Korean people|Koreans]]<ref name="Roy"/>
| significance  = 
| begins        = 
| ends          = 
| date          = 9th day of the 9th lunisolar month
| date{{LASTYEAR}} = {{Calendar date/infobox|year=last|cite=no}}
| date{{CURRENTYEAR}} = {{Calendar date/infobox|year=current|cite=no}}
| date{{NEXTYEAR}} = {{Calendar date/infobox|year=next|cite=no}}
| date{{NEXTYEAR|2}} = {{Calendar date/infobox|year=next2|cite=no}}
| frequency     = Annual
| duration      = 1 day
| celebrations  = 
| observances   = 
| relatedto     = 
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| t = 重陽節
| s = 重阳节
| kanji = 重陽の節句<ref>[http://kikuko-nagoya.com/html/chouyo-no-sekku.html Choyo no Sekku at kikuko-nagoya.com]</ref>
| revhep = Chōyō no Sekku
| hangul = 중양절<ref name="Roy">{{cite book | title=Traditional Festivals: A Multicultural Encyclopedia | last=Roy | first=Christian | year=2004 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/traditionalfesti0000royc/page/116 116] | publisher=Abc-Clio | isbn=978-1576070895 | url=https://archive.org/details/traditionalfesti0000royc/page/116 }}</ref><ref name="Korean Customs">{{cite book | title=Encyclopedia of Korean Seasonal Customs: Encyclopedia of Korean Folklore and Traditional Culture | publisher=Gil-Job-Ie Media | author=National Folk Museum of Korea | year=2015 | pages=232}}</ref>
| hanja = 重陽節
| rr = Jungyangjeol
| p = Chóngyáng jié
| w = Ch'ung<sup>2</sup>-yang<sup>2</sup> chieh<sup>2</sup>
| mi = {{IPAc-cmn|ch|ong|2|.|yang|2|-|j|ie|2}}
| suz = Zon yan tsih
| j = Cung<sup>4</sup>-joeng<sup>4</sup> zit<sup>3</sup>
| y = Chùhng-yèuhng jit
| poj = Tiông-iông-choeh/cheh
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| title = Chrysanthemum Festival
| kanji = 菊の節句
| revhep=Kiku no Sekku
}}
The '''Double Ninth Festival''' is a [[traditional Chinese holiday]] observed on the ninth day of the ninth month in the [[Chinese calendar]].  It is a statutory public holiday in Hong Kong (as '''Chung Yeung Festival''') and Macau,<ref>{{cite news|author=Wee Kek Koon |title=Chung Yeung explained: the little-known Chinese holiday to honour the dead, hike and drink wine, its roots, and why most people don't celebrate it |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/short-reads/article/3238581/chung-yeung-explained-little-known-chinese-holiday-honour-dead-hike-and-drink-wine-its-roots-and-why |newspaper=South China Morning Post |department=Opinion: Reflections |date=22 October 2023 |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref> and is observed in several East Asian countries. According to historian {{ill|Wu Jun (historian)|zh|吴均|lt=Wu Jun}}, it dates back to the [[Eastern Han dynasty]] (25–220 AD).<ref name="Roy"/>

According to the ''[[I Ching]]'', ''nine'' is a ''[[yin and yang|yang]]'' number; the ninth day of the ninth month in the Chinese calendar (or double nine) has extra ''yang'' (a traditional Chinese spiritual concept) and is thus an auspicious date.<ref name="Stepanchuk Mooncakes and Hungry Ghosts Double Ninth Festival">{{cite book |last1=Stepanchuk |first1=Carol |title=Mooncakes and Hungry Ghosts: Festivals of China |date=1991 |publisher=China Books & Periodicals |location=San Francisco |isbn=0-8351-2481-9 |pages=89–91}}</ref> Hence, the day is also called Double Yang Festival ({{zh|t=重陽節|labels=no}}).<ref name="Wei Chinese Festivals Double Ninth Festival">{{cite book |last1=Wei |first1=Liming |title=Chinese Festivals: Traditions, Customs and Rituals |date=2010 |location=Beijing |isbn=9787508516936 |pages=54–57 |edition=Second}}</ref> It is customary to climb a mountain,<ref name="Eberhard Chinese Festivals Double Ninth"/><ref name="認識中國傳統節日和風俗45">{{cite book |last1=陳瑞璋 |title=認識中國傳統節日和風俗 |date=2001 |location=Hong Kong |isbn=9621419573 |page=45}}</ref> drink [[chrysanthemum]] [[liquor]],<ref name="Eberhard Chinese Festivals Double Ninth">{{cite book |last1=Eberhard |first1=Wolfram |authorlink1=Wolfram Eberhard |title=Chinese Festivals |date=1952 |publisher=H. Wolff |location=New York |pages=110–111 |chapter=The Mid-Autumn Festival}}</ref><ref name="認識中國傳統節日和風俗45"/> and wear the ''zhuyu'' ({{zh|t=茱萸|labels=no}}) 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.

On this holiday, some Chinese also visit the graves of their ancestors to pay their respects.<ref name="認識中國傳統節日和風俗45"/> In Hong Kong and Macau, whole extended families head to ancestral graves to clean them, repaint inscriptions and lay out food offerings such as roast [[suckling pig]] and fruit, which are then eaten (after the spirits have consumed the spiritual element of the food). [[Chongyang cake]] is also popular<ref name="Wei Chinese Festivals Double Ninth Festival"/> and [[incense stick]]s are burned during the holiday.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130121134023/http://www.discoverhongkong.com/uk/see-do/events-festivals/chinese-festivals/chung-yueng-festival.jsp Chung Yueng Festival], Discover Hong Kong</ref>

==Origin==
The origins of the festival date back as early as the [[Warring States period]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2002-10/09/content_359355.htm | title=The Double Ninth Festival | newspaper=China Daily |date=November 2, 2022|access-date=November 2, 2022}}</ref>

According to legend, the traditions of hiking and drinking chrysanthemum wine on this day began with the [[Han dynasty]] man {{ill|lt=Fei Changfang|Fei Changfang (Han dynasty)|zh|费长房 (汉朝)}} and his disciple {{ill|lt=Huan Jing|Huan Jing (Han dynasty)|zh|桓景}}.<ref name="Stepanchuk Mooncakes and Hungry Ghosts Double Ninth Festival"/> One year, Fei advised Huan to bring chrysanthemum wine and food and climb a mountain with his family on the ninth day of the ninth month.<ref name="Stepanchuk Mooncakes and Hungry Ghosts Double Ninth Festival"/> Huan followed his master's instructions, and when he returned home he found that his livestock had all suddenly died; if he had not climbed the mountain as instructed, the same would have happened to him and his family.<ref name="認識中國傳統節日和風俗45"/><ref name="Stepanchuk Mooncakes and Hungry Ghosts Double Ninth Festival"/><ref name="中國節日的故事 Double Ninth">{{cite book |title=中國節日的故事 |date=2001 |publisher=將門文物出版社 |location=Taipei |isbn=957-755-300-1 |edition=1st |lang=zh |pages=226–237}}</ref>

An alternative origin story involves intrigue in the imperial court of [[Emperor Gaozu of Han]]. As part of [[Empress Lü]]'s jealous plot against [[Consort Qi (Han dynasty)|Consort Qi]], the latter's maid was forced out of the imperial palace.<ref name="Wei Chinese Festivals Double Ninth Festival"/> The maid, surnamed Jia ({{zh|t=賈|s=贾|first=t|labels=no}}), told the common people that in the palace it was customary to wear [[dogwood]] and drink chrysanthemum wine on the ninth day of the ninth month, and these customs spread more widely.<ref name="Wei Chinese Festivals Double Ninth Festival"/>

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.<ref name="Stepanchuk Mooncakes and Hungry Ghosts Double Ninth Festival"/><ref name="Zhao">{{cite book | title=A History of Food Culture in China| publisher=SCPG Publishing Corporation  | first=Rongguang |last=Zhao | year=2015 | pages=14 |isbn= 978-1938368165}}</ref> Other activities include flying kites, making flower cakes, and welcoming married daughters back home for visiting.<ref name="Zhao" />

The festival is also an opportunity to care for and appreciate the elderly,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_chinaway/node_169.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2007-10-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028092114/http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_chinaway/node_169.htm |archive-date=2007-10-28 }}</ref> and to that end, [[Taiwan]] has rededicated the holiday as Senior Citizens' Day.<ref name="GIO"/>

Stores sell rice cakes ({{zh|t=糕|labels=no}} "gāo", a homophone for ''height'' {{zh|t=高|labels=no}}) with mini colorful flags to represent ''zhuyu''. Most people drink chrysanthemum tea, while a few traditionalists drink homemade chrysanthemum wine. Children learn poems about chrysanthemums and many localities host chrysanthemum exhibits. Mountain climbing races are also popular; winners get to wear a wreath made of ''zhuyu''.

==Outside China==
===Japan===
[[File:Karasu-zumo a.jpg|thumb|''Karasu-zumo'' (literally 'crow sumo'), is a part of the festivities held on September 9 at [[Kamigamo Shrine]] in [[Kyoto]]]]

In Japan, the festival is known as ''Chōyō'' but also as the {{nihongo4|Chrysanthemum Festival|菊の節句|Kiku no Sekku
}} and it is one of Japan's five sacred ancient festivals (sekku).<ref name=TheFreeDictionary>{{cite web |title=Chrysanthemum Festival |url=http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Chrysanthemum+Festival |publisher=[[The Free Dictionary]] |date=2010 |access-date=2015-06-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://japanese-culture.info/keywords/annual_events/kiku | script-title=ja:菊の節句(重陽の節句)|trans-title=The Chrysanthemum Festival (The Choyo Festival) | publisher={{lang|ja|英語対訳で読む日本の文化}} | access-date=7 November 2018 |language=ja}}</ref><ref name="pottery">{{cite web | url=http://www.yakimono.or.jp/en/2016/chapter-3-kiku-no-sekku | title=Chapter 3: Kiku no sekku | publisher=Japan Federation of Pottery Wholesalers’ Co-operative Association | date=3 June 2016 | access-date=7 November 2018}}</ref> It is most commonly celebrated on the 9th day of the 9th month according to the [[Gregorian calendar]] rather than the lunisolar calendar, i.e. on September 9. It is celebrated at both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.library.metro.tokyo.jp/portals/0/edo/tokyo_library/english/saijiki/autumn.html | title=Autumn (July - September) | publisher=Tokyo Metropolitan Library | access-date=7 November 2018}}</ref> The festival is celebrated in the wish for the longevity of one's life and is observed by drinking chrysanthemum [[sake]] and eating dishes such as chestnut rice ({{transliteration|ja|[[Takikomi gohan#Kuri gohan|kuri-gohan]]}}) and chestnuts with glutinous rice ({{transliteration|ja|kuri-[[mochi]]}}).<ref name="pottery"/>

===Korea===
In Korea, the festival is known as ''Jungyangjeol'' ({{Korean|hangul=중양절|hanja=重陽節|labels=no}}), and it is celebrated on the 9th day of the 9th month.<ref name="Korean Customs"/> Koreans would consume chrysanthemum leaves in pancakes. As the festival is meant to celebrate and cultivate good health, outdoor activities such as carrying dogwood, climbing hills or mountains for picnics, and gazing at chrysanthemum blossoms are carried out.<ref name="Roy"/><ref name="Korean Customs"/>

===Taiwan===
Double Ninth Day is not a major festival in Taiwan, but the country retains some of the Double Ninth Day practices once found in China.<ref name="Chen">{{cite news|author=陳瑋鴻 |title=重陽節拜拜可以提早嗎？要拜什麼？拜拜菜色、供品、流程一次看 [Can I worship earlier on Double Ninth Festival? What should I worship? A look at the dishes, offerings, and process for worship.] |url=https://www.businessweekly.com.tw/style/blog/3016866 |journal={{ill|Business Weekly|zh|商業周刊 (臺灣)}} |date=2024-10-09 |access-date=30 October 2025 |lang=zh}}</ref>  For some families, the day (like [[Lunar New Year in Taiwan#New Year's Eve|New Year's Eve]] and [[Qingming Festival]]) offers the opportunity to venerate distant ancestors who are not otherwise honoured on their birthdays, but this is often done on the weekend before if Double Ninth falls on a weekday.<ref name="Chen"/>  In 1966, Taiwan rededicated the holiday as Senior Citizens' Day,<ref name="GIO">{{cite web|url=http://www.gio.gov.tw/info/festival_c/99_e/99.htm |title=Chrysanthemums, Climbing, and Consideration of the Elderly - Double Ninth Day |publisher=Gio.gov.tw |access-date=2008-10-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515200349/http://www.gio.gov.tw/info/festival_c/99_e/99.htm |archive-date=May 15, 2008 }}</ref> and local governments often make small cash payments to senior citizens ({{lang-zh|c=敬老禮金|p=jìnglǎo lǐjīn|labels=n}}) for the occasion,<ref>{{cite news|author=徐銘穗 |title=九九重陽節發錢了！全台「重陽敬老禮金」金額曝：這裡狂撒3萬元 [Money is being given out for the Double Ninth Festival! The total amount of 'Double Ninth Respect for the Elderly Gift Money' across Taiwan revealed: This place is giving away a whopping NT$30,000!] |url=https://www.nownews.com/news/6747704 |website={{ill|NOWnews (Taiwan)|zh|NOWnews今日新聞|lt=NOWnews}} |date=2025-10-29 |access-date=30 October 2025 |lang=zh}}</ref> but the holiday is otherwise not widely observed.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Chai Wan Cemetery Hong Kong Double Ninth Festival 04.jpg|Participants arrive at the Chai Wan Cemetery, Hong Kong, 2015
File:Chai Wan Cemetery Hong Kong Double Ninth Festival 02.jpg|Chai Wan Cemetery Hong Kong, 2015
File:Chai Wan Cemetery Hong Kong Double Ninth Festival 03.jpg|Chai Wan Cemetery, Hong Kong, 2015
File:Double Ninth Festival Xian Tang Village 01.jpg|Xian Tang Village, Dongguan, China, 2015
File:Double Ninth Festival Xian Tang Village 02.jpg|Xian Tang Village, Dongguan, China, 2015
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Qixi Festival|Double Seventh Festival]]
*[[Qingming Festival]], a day to visit and clean up the cemeteries
*''[[Curse of the Golden Flower]]'', a Chinese film in which the plot takes place around the Chrysanthemum Festival.

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Hong Kong Holidays}}

[[Category:Autumn in China]]
[[Category:Autumn in Japan]]
[[Category:Festivals in Japan]]
[[Category:Festivals in South Korea]]
[[Category:October observances]]
[[Category:Public holidays in China]]
[[Category:Festivals established in 1966]]
<!-- in Taiwan -->
[[Category:Festivals in Taiwan]]
[[Category:Observances honoring the dead]]
[[Category:Observances set by the Chinese calendar]]
[[Category:Veneration of the dead]]