Double Ninth Festival in China is celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth month of the Chinese lunar calendar (农历) every year. And it is also known as Chongyang Festival.
Traditionally, it' s a time when the family get together to climb hills, drink chrysanthemum wines (菊花酒),eat Chongyang cakes, and wear cornels (茱萸). However, those activities are only one part of the story. The day is also seen as a chance to care for the elderly.
Once upon a time, on a river bank lived a farmer called Aniu with his blind mother. Aniu wanted to cure(治愈)his mother' s eyes. One night, he dreamed of a beautiful girl, who told him to find white chrysanthemum in the west. She said the flower would come out on the ninth day of the ninth month and could cure his mother' s eyes. He followed his dream, found the flower and planted it in his yard. On the ninth day of the ninth month, the flowers came out. His mother could see things again.
The story is very beautiful and now the festival is still popular among Chinese. The old traditions are meaningful to people' s health. Mountain climbing encourages people to exercise, while chrysanthemum wines are good for the eyes, liver (肝脏)and brain. Cornel, with its special smell, can stop people from catching a cold. The day also reminds all people to take care of the elderly.
Nowadays, the festival has also developed some new meanings. It' s the time for young adults to have a family outing with their elder parents on this day.
