The Double Ninth Festival , observed on the ninth day of the ninth month in the Chinese calendar , is a traditional Chinese holiday, mentioned in writing since before the East Han period .
According to the ''I Ching'', ''nine'' is the number; the ninth day of the ninth lunar month has too much '''' and is thus a potentially dangerous date. Hence, the day is also called "Double Yang Festival" . To protect against the danger, it is customary to climb a high mountain, drink chrysanthemum wine, and wear the ''zhuyu'' plant, . Also on this holiday, some Chinese also visit the graves of their ancestors to pay their respects.
In 1966, the Republic of China rededicated the holiday as "Senior Citizens' Day" , underscoring one custom as it is observed in China, where the festival is also an opportunity to care for and appreciate the elderly.
Double Ninth may have originated as a day to drive away danger, but like the Chinese New Year, over time it became a day of celebration. In contemporary times it is an occasion for hiking and chrysanthemum appreciation. Stores sell rice cakes inserted with mini colorful flags to represent ''zhuyu''. Most people drink chrysanthemum tea, while a few strict traditionalists drink homemade chrysanthemum wine. Children in school learn poems about chrysanthemums, and many localities host a chrysanthemum exhibit. Mountain climbing races are also popular; winners get to wear a wreath made of ''zhuyu''.
This is an often-quoted poem about the holiday:
"Double Ninth, Missing My Shandong Brothers" -
Original:
《》 王維
:，
:。
:，
:
English:
:As a lonely stranger in the strange land,
:Every holiday the homesickness amplifies.
:Knowing that my brothers have reached the peak,
:All but one is present at the planting of ''zhuyu''.
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