All you need to know about 重阳节- Double Ninth Festival

重阳节 (Chóngyáng Jié) is an important traditional festival with the theme of respecting the elderly on the ninth day of the ninth month in the lunar calendar.

Compared to 清明节 (Qīngmíng Jié / Tomb-Sweeping Day), 端午节 (Duānwǔ Jié / Dragon Boat Festival), 中秋节 (Zhōngqiū Jié / Mid-autumnFestival),  this one might sounds a bit unfamiliar to you.

In today's post, we are going to bring all you need to know about "重阳" to you so you can understand the cultural significance behind this festival better.

阳/Yáng is represented by the light swirl and 阴/Yīn is the dark swirl. Yin and yang each represent various qualities. But overall, Yang is warm, young and active, etc., whereas Yin is cold, old and receptive, etc.

_{The history of 重阳节}

_{How do Chinese people celebrate 重阳节？}

_{Enjoy chrysanthemum wine/菊花酒 júhuā jiǔ}

_{Wear cornus officinalis/茱萸 zhūyú}

Cornus officinalis/茱萸zhūyú has the functions of expelling insects and removing dampness. Before pepper was introduced into China, it was one of the main sources of spicy flavor. On 重阳节, people wear 茱萸 to prevent diseases and avoid disasters, wishing to have a healthier body.

_{Conquer a height to enjoy a distant view}

Besides, people also believe the weather during 重阳节 causes the "rising of clean air and sinking of dirty air". So the higher the terrain is, the cleaner air there will be. Therefore, "ascending a height to enjoy clear air and a distant view" has become an important folk custom for 重阳节.

In recent years, on 重阳节, there are many different activities to highlight the value of "repecting the elderly". For instance, on this day, the elderly are given free physical examination, and they can visit many scenic spots for free. The community volunteers will visit the elderly living alone and send presents.

That's all what we would like to introduce about 重阳节. Hope it helps you to understand this festival better. We will quote a famous 重阳-themed ancient peom to end this post.