Chongyang Festival - A Celebration of Elderly People

Introduction: Chongyang Festival, also known as the Double Ninth Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival held on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. It is a special occasion to pay respect to and celebrate the elderly people in the family and the community.

The Origin of Chongyang Festival: The origins of Chongyang Festival can be traced back to ancient China. According to legend, a man named Huan Jing went to the mountains to seek the elixir of immortality. He met an old man who told him to go back home and climb a high mountain on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month with his family and friends. Huan Jing followed the old man's instructions and returned home to find that his family and friends had all died of a plague on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. He realized that the old man was actually a heavenly spirit who had saved him from death. To commemorate this event, people began to climb mountains, drink chrysanthemum wine, and wear cornel flowers on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month.

The Celebration of Chongyang Festival: The Chongyang Festival is celebrated in various ways. The most popular activities include climbing mountains, drinking chrysanthemum wine, and eating chongyang cake. Climbing mountains on this day is believed to bring good luck and ward off misfortune. The chrysanthemum flower is a symbol of longevity and health, and drinking chrysanthemum wine is a traditional practice to ward off bad luck and diseases. Chongyang cake, also known as flower cake, is a traditional food made with glutinous rice flour, beans, red dates, and sesame seeds. Its shape resembles the number nine and is a symbol of good luck and happiness. During the Chongyang Festival, people also visit or call their elderly relatives and friends to show their respect and love.

Conclusion: The Chongyang Festival is an important occasion to pay tribute to the elderly people in the family and the community. It is a time to show appreciation and love to those who have contributed to society and to honor their wisdom and experience. It is also a time to enjoy the beauty of autumn and the blessings of nature. Let us all celebrate the Chongyang Festival with joy and gratitude!