Chongyang (Double Ninth Festival)
The Double Ninth Festival, honoring the elderly and climbing to high places.
The Double Ninth Festival (Chongyang) falls on the 9th day of the 9th month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar, usually in October.
When Is Chongyang (Double Ninth Festival)?
The Double Ninth Festival (Chongyang) falls on the 9th day of the 9th month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar, usually in October.
Because the Gregorian date changes from year to year, check a calendar published by the tradition or your local community for this year's date.
Why It Matters
The Double Ninth Festival falls on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month. Nine is a yang number, so two nines (double yang) are considered potentially dangerous, hence traditions to ward off evil. It is also a day to honor elderly relatives and climb mountains or hills.
How It Is Observed
Climbing mountains or hills, wearing chrysanthemum flowers, drinking chrysanthemum wine, eating chongyang cakes, visiting and honoring elderly family members, ancestor veneration.
Sacred Text
“The supreme good is like water, which nourishes all things without trying to. It flows to low places loathed by all men. Therefore, it is like the Tao.”
, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 8 ↗