Double Ninth Festival

The Double Ninth Festival (重阳节, Chóngyáng Jié) is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. It’s also called the Chongyang Festival, and it’s a day to honor the elderly, enjoy the beauty of autumn, and wish for good health and longevity.

Because the number nine (九, jiǔ) is associated with yang energy and long life, the “double nine” is considered an auspicious day filled with yang energy, making it ideal for promoting health, safety, and high spirits.

When Is the Double Ninth Festival Celebrated?

The date changes each year based on the lunar calendar but usually falls in October. In 2025, the Double Ninth Festival will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

Origins and History

The festival dates back over 2,000 years, with roots in ancient beliefs in numerology, yin-yang theory, and seasonal change.

According to legend, a man named Huan Jing saved his village from plague by leading people to the mountains on the ninth day of the ninth month, carrying chrysanthemum wine and dogwood leaves. From then on, climbing to high places on this day became a protective tradition.

In 1989, the Chinese government also designated Chongyang Jie as “Senior Citizens’ Day”, to promote filial piety and care for the elderly.

Key Traditions and Customs

1. Honoring the Elderly

Families show respect and appreciation for older generations, often by spending time together, giving gifts, or organizing community events. It’s a day to express love, gratitude, and care.

2. Climbing Mountains (登高)

People traditionally hike hills or mountains on this day to avoid illness and absorb the vitality of nature. In modern times, it’s also a popular day for autumn outings and nature appreciation.

3. Admiring and Wearing Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums, which bloom in autumn, are the festival's floral symbol. People drink chrysanthemum tea or wine, wear the flowers, and appreciate their beauty and medicinal properties.

4. Drinking Chrysanthemum Wine

This traditional drink is believed to ward off evil spirits and promote longevity. It’s often homemade, infused with herbs, and shared among friends and family.

5. Eating Double Ninth Cake (重阳糕)

Also known as flower cakes or layer cakes, these pastries are sometimes shaped like mountains and decorated with chestnuts or nuts. Eating them symbolizes rising to new heights and good fortune.

Symbolism of the Double Ninth Festival

Element	Symbolism
Number Nine (九)	Longevity, yang energy, power
Mountain Climbing	Rising above misfortune, good health
Chrysanthemum	Nobility, endurance, autumn beauty
Elder Appreciation	Filial piety, wisdom, family unity
Chongyang Cake	Ascension, success, celebration

How the Festival Is Celebrated Today

In modern China, the Double Ninth Festival is celebrated both privately at home and through community events, especially those honoring the elderly. Activities may include:

School and volunteer visits to senior centers
Public health talks and wellness walks
Mountain hikes and outdoor festivals
Cultural performances, including traditional music and dance

In cities, the festival blends tradition with new expressions of active aging and health awareness, while in rural areas, ancestral remembrance and grave sweeping may also take place.