The Chinese Chong Yang Festival falls on the 9th day of the 9th month of the Chinese lunar calendar. Chong means double and Yang represents active, masculine. According to the traditional Chinese theory of Yin and Yang, both the 9th month and the 9th day of the month belong to Yang, so is the name 'Chong Yang (double Yang).'
The festival has a long history. It could be dated back to the Warring States (475 BC - 221 BC) and it became popular during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220). Most people believe the festival originated from the activities associated with 'warding off evil' on the day, including climbing hills, pinning the leaves of cornus on clothes, and drinking chrysanthemum wine. The reason is the 9th day of the 9th month is not an auspicious day (too much Yang) according to Chinese traditions. For one thing, fire represents Yang so it could be a bad day for fire. And those activities believed by the ancient Chinese were useful to avoid possible disasters or evil spirit.
Here is an interesting ancient folktale about the origin of the festival (provided by Hao Zhuo).
It is said long ago there appeared a devil of plague in the Ruhe River. People lay down and died wherever it came up. A boy named Heng Jing swore to help his neighbors and fellow people to get rid of it. He visited many famous mountains to seek a powerful master. Finally an old Taoist took him in and taught him how to defeat the devil. Heng Jing put his whole heart into study and practice. One day, the Taoist called him up and said, 'Heng Jing, tomorrow is the 9th day of September and the devil will reappear. It is time for you to go home and stop the devil.' The master also gave him a pack of leaves of Cornus and a jar of liquor soaked with chrysanthemums. Riding a crane, Heng Jing went a great distance back home in a day. As instructed by his master, he told his fellow villagers to climb up the nearby mountain with a Cornus leaf pinned on their clothes and a glass of chrysanthemum liquor in hand. When the devil of plague came up from under the water, it got dizzy by the scent of Cornus and chrysanthemums. Heng Jing fought with his master's sword and killed the devil in a few rounds. People held parties, drank chrysanthemum liquor to celebrate it. And the next year, the custom of mountain climbing became popular among the villagers.
Today the Chong Yang Festival is still an important day for the Chinese. Some people still celebrate the festival the traditional way, climbing hills, pinning the leaves of cornus on clothes, appreciate chrysanthemum and drinking chrysanthemum wine, and eating Chong Yang cakes.
The festival has a long history. It could be dated back to the Warring States (475 BC - 221 BC) and it became popular during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220). Most people believe the festival originated from the activities associated with 'warding off evil' on the day, including climbing hills, pinning the leaves of cornus on clothes, and drinking chrysanthemum wine. The reason is the 9th day of the 9th month is not an auspicious day (too much Yang) according to Chinese traditions. For one thing, fire represents Yang so it could be a bad day for fire. And those activities believed by the ancient Chinese were useful to avoid possible disasters or evil spirit.
Here is an interesting ancient folktale about the origin of the festival (provided by Hao Zhuo).
It is said long ago there appeared a devil of plague in the Ruhe River. People lay down and died wherever it came up. A boy named Heng Jing swore to help his neighbors and fellow people to get rid of it. He visited many famous mountains to seek a powerful master. Finally an old Taoist took him in and taught him how to defeat the devil. Heng Jing put his whole heart into study and practice. One day, the Taoist called him up and said, 'Heng Jing, tomorrow is the 9th day of September and the devil will reappear. It is time for you to go home and stop the devil.' The master also gave him a pack of leaves of Cornus and a jar of liquor soaked with chrysanthemums. Riding a crane, Heng Jing went a great distance back home in a day. As instructed by his master, he told his fellow villagers to climb up the nearby mountain with a Cornus leaf pinned on their clothes and a glass of chrysanthemum liquor in hand. When the devil of plague came up from under the water, it got dizzy by the scent of Cornus and chrysanthemums. Heng Jing fought with his master's sword and killed the devil in a few rounds. People held parties, drank chrysanthemum liquor to celebrate it. And the next year, the custom of mountain climbing became popular among the villagers.
Today the Chong Yang Festival is still an important day for the Chinese. Some people still celebrate the festival the traditional way, climbing hills, pinning the leaves of cornus on clothes, appreciate chrysanthemum and drinking chrysanthemum wine, and eating Chong Yang cakes.
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