Autumn brings refreshing breezes and sweet osmanthus fragrance. As autumn winds turn the treetops golden and chrysanthemums bloom one after another, we greet the 9th day of the ninth lunar month — the Double Ninth Festival.
Nine is regarded as a yang number. When two nines overlap, the festival gets its name, Double Ninth. Since the Chinese character for "nine" sounds the same as "long-lasting", the ancients endowed this festival with a beautiful meaning of longevity. Climbing high to gaze far, admiring chrysanthemums and sipping tea, wearing dogwood sprigs — these folk customs passed down for thousands of years embody ancient people’s love for autumn, as well as their wishes for healthy lives and lasting companionship with loved ones.
In ancient times on Double Ninth Festival, people would gather to climb heights, escaping the hustle and bustle to overlook the vast autumn scenery. They picked and wore dogwood sprigs to express longing, admired chrysanthemums and drank chrysanthemum wine, praying for peace amid floral scents. With the passage of time, many customs have gradually simplified, yet the core spirit of the Double Ninth Festival remains unchanged. In 1989, China designated the Double Ninth Festival as the "Senior Citizens’ Day", granting this ancient festival brand-new contemporary significance. From then on, Double Ninth has become a day to respect the elderly and cherish family kindness.
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