It’s the Chinese Double Ninth Festival or Chong Yang Festival today. I would like to talk a little about it.

The Double Ninth Festival falls on the ninth day of the ninth month on the Chinese lunar calendar. In Chinese folklore, the number nine 九(jiǔ) is the largest number, and also considers as Yang from the Yin and Yang philosophy. 

In Chinese, this festival is called 重阳节(chóngyángjié). 重(chóng) means double. So 重阳节(chóngyángjié) is "Double Yang Festival" actually. 

And also the number nine 九(jiǔ) has the same pronunciation as the Chinese word 久(jiǔ) which has the meaning of long time, and has a good wish for longevity. In China, the Double Ninth Festival is also a festival for the elderly. 

We have the tradition to climb mountains to pray for good luck on the Double Ninth Festival. In ancient times, people also would admire the beauty of chrysanthemums, drink rice wine and eat Chongyang cakes on the day. The ninth lunar month is the time when chrysanthemums菊花(júhuā) are in full bloom. So every year, people will pick fresh chrysanthemums to decorate houses and also put them in rice wine, tea and food. 

Cakes in Chinese is 糕(gāo), which has the same pronunciation of the word high 高(gāo). So having cakes on the Double Ninth Festival has the same meaning of climbing mountains, 步步高升(bùbùgāoshēng), making steady progress.

Nowadays the custom of climbing mountains for blessings has merged with some other outdoor exercises. Some activities have become especially popular among middle aged and older people such as square dancing. Square dancing or 广场舞(guǎngchǎngwǔ) has become a unique phenomenon in China. 广场(guǎngchǎng) is the public squares. 舞(wǔ) from 跳舞(tiàowǔ) means dance. Whether it’s in a big or small city, when night falls, you will see people dancing on public squares.

Although people today don’t observe all the traditional customs for the Double Ninth Festival. It’s still the core of the festival to respect the elders. It’s also a day to go home and see our parents or grand parents. I think it will be good if you can give them a call today and say Happy Double Ninth Festival重阳节(chóngyángjié)快乐(kuàilè)!