The"ChongYangFestival"iscelebratedontheninthdayoftheninthlunarmonth,anditisassuchknownastheDoubleNinthFestival.
Origins:ThefestivalbeganasearlyastheWarringStatesPeriod(475-221BC).Accordingtotheyin/yangdichotomythatformsabasistotheChineseworldview,yinrepresentstheelementsofdarknessandyangrepresentslifeandbrightness.Thenumbernineisregardedasyang.Theninthdayoftheninthmonthisadoubleyangday,hencethename"ChongYangFestival".(Chongmeans"repeat"inChinese.)Theninthmonthalsoheraldstheapproachofwinter.Itisatimewhenthelivingneedwarmclothing,andfilialChinesesonsanddaughtersextendedthistomakethefestivalatimeforprovidingwinterclothesfortheirancestors.TheDoubleNinthFestival,therefore,alsobecameanoccasiontovisitthegravesofdeadfamilymembers.Clothesmadeofpaperwouldthenbeburntasofferings.
Climbingmountains:OntheDoubleNinthFestival,peoplecustomarilyclimbmountains,appreciatechrysanthemumflowers,drinkchrysanthemumwine,andeatdouble-ninthcakes.TheDoubleNinthFestivalisalsothe"OldMenFestival".Oldpeopleareespeciallymeanttoimprovetheirhealthbytakingpartintheactivitiesonthedayofthefestival.
Familyget-togethers:TheDoubleNinthFestivalisalsoatimeforfamilyget-togethers.Itisanoccasiontorememberone’sancestors,thesacrificestheymadeandthehardshipstheyunderwent.Often,familyoutingsareorganisedduringwhichpeoplesearchtorenewtheirappreciationofnatureandtoreaffirmtheirloveandconcernforfamilymembersandclosefriends.