Double Ninth Festival
double ninth festival traditional chinese holiday observed ninth day ninth month chinese calendar according wu jun date back eastern han dynasty – ad according ching nine yang number ninth day ninth month chinese calendar double nine extra yang traditional chinese spiritual concept thus auspicious date hence day also called double yang festival 重陽節 customary climb mountain drink chrysanthemum liquor wear zhuyu 茱萸 plant cornu officinalis chrysanthemum zhuyu considered cleansing quality used occasion air house cure illness holiday chinese also visit graf ancestor pay respect hong kong macau whole extended family head ancestral graf clean repaint inscription lay food offering roast suckling pig fruit eaten spirit consumed spiritual element food chongyang cake also popular incense stick burned holiday origin festival date back early warring state period according legend tradition hiking drinking chrysanthemum wine day began han dynasty man fei changfang disciple huan jing one year fei advised huan bring chrysanthemum wine food climb mountain family ninth day ninth month huan followed master instruction returned home found livestock suddenly died climbed mountain instructed would happened family alternative origin story involves intrigue imperial court emperor gaozu han part empress lüs jealous plot consort qi latter maid forced imperial palace maid surnamed jia 賈 贾 told common people palace customary wear dogwood drink chrysanthemum wine ninth day ninth month custom spread widely taiwan rededicated holiday senior citizen day underscoring one custom observed mainland china festival also opportunity care appreciate elderly double ninth may originated day drive away danger like chinese new year time became day celebration contemporary time occasion hiking chrysanthemum appreciation activity include flying kite making flower cake welcoming married daughter back home visiting store sell rice cake 糕 gāo homophone height 高 mini colorful flag represent zhuyu people drink chrysanthemum tea traditionalist drink homemade chrysanthemum wine child learn poem chrysanthemum many locality host chrysanthemum exhibit mountain climbing race also popular winner get wear wreath made zhuyu japan festival known chōyō also chrysanthemum festival 菊の節句 kiku sekku one japan five sacred ancient festival sekku commonly celebrated th day th month according gregorian calendar rather lunisolar calendar ie september celebrated shinto shrine buddhist temple festival celebrated wish longevity one life observed drinking chrysanthemum sake eating dish chestnut rice kurigohan chestnut glutinous rice kurimochi korea festival known jungyangjeol 중양절 celebrated th day th month korean would consume chrysanthemum leaf pancake festival meant celebrate cultivate good health outdoor activity carrying dogwood climbing hill mountain picnic gazing chrysanthemum blossom carried double seventh festival qingming festival day visit clean cemetery curse golden flower chinese film plot take place around chrysanthemum festival