The Double Ninth Festival is held on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. According to The Book of Changes, nine is treated as a masculine (or Yang) number in Chinese. The Chinese character “Chong” means double or two. When the two masculine numbers converge, it is believed to be an auspicious day worth celebrating. There are lots of activities during the day, including climbing mountains, eating Chongyang cake, and visiting elderly relatives.

The custom of ascending a height was passed down from long time ago. Therefore, the Double Ninth Festival is also called “Height Ascending Festival”. Ancient literary figures have left many poems depicting the activity. Even today, people still swarm to famous or little known mountains on this day.

In 1989, the Chinese government decided the Double Ninth Festival as Seniors’ Day. Since then, all government units, organizations and streets communities will organize an autumn trip each year for those who have retired from their posts. Younger generations will bring elder ones to suburban areas or send gifts to them on this day.

(By Yuanyu/Liuqin)