Chongyang Festival, also known as the "Double Ninth Festival," is one of the traditional Chinese festivals celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. The origins of this festival can be traced back to ancient times; it was already established during the Warring States period. By the Tang Dynasty, Chongyang was officially recognized as a folk festival, and it has been celebrated through successive dynasties to this day. In 1989, China designated September 9th each year as the "Elderly Day," cleverly combining tradition with modernity, making Chongyang Festival a day to honor, respect, love, and assist the elderly.

The characters "Chong" and "Yang" in Chongyang Festival are both related to the number "nine," symbolizing the power of sunlight and life. The celebrations of Chongyang Festival typically include climbing heights, appreciating chrysanthemums, and drinking chrysanthemum wine, all of which signify health, longevity, and respect for the elderly.

On this day, many families choose to climb heights to ward off evil spirits and pray for blessings. People believe that climbing can bring good luck and keep disasters at bay. Additionally, appreciating chrysanthemums is another important activity during Chongyang Festival, as chrysanthemums bloom in this season, symbolizing resilience and longevity. Drinking chrysanthemum wine is meant to pray for health and long life, expressing love and blessings for the elderly.

Chongyang Festival is not only a celebration of longevity but also a moment to promote the tradition of respecting and honoring the elderly. On this special day, people express their respect to their elders, enhancing family unity and harmony.

On the Double Ninth Festival, the ancient people had the custom of climbing heights, planting cornel and offering sacrifices to ancestors, which constituted the common festival memory of the Chinese people. Poets use poems to record the Double Ninth Festival, they are happy or sad, through thousands of years, still can move you and me. Taking advantage of the Double Ninth Festival, let us walk between poems with the fragrance of autumn wind chrysanthemum, and taste the Double ninth from different perspectives.

九月九日忆山东兄弟

Thinking of My Brothers on Mountain-climbing Day

Wang Wei (Wang Wei)

许渊冲 译

Alone,a lonely stranger in a foreign land

独在异乡为异客

I doubly pine for my kinsfolk on holiday.

每逢佳节倍思亲

I know my brothers would,with dogwood spray in hand,

遥知兄弟登高处

Climb up the mountain and miss me so faraway.

遍插茱萸少一人