Chongqing people have different ways to celebrate the Double Ninth Festival, as a traditional festival of China, which fell on October 17, 2018. It is a festival for respecting seniors, and people traditionally celebrated it by mountain climbing and chrysanthemum appreciating.
Seniors are guessing lantern riddles to celebrate the Double Ninth Festival in Chongqing, China. (Photo by Gan Xiayi)
Why is the Double Ninth Festival called “Chong Yang” in Chinese?
According to the Book of Changes, the number six stands for Yin and nine for Yang. In addition, Chong means double in Chinese. As its name shows, the festival is celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth month according to the Chinese lunar calendar. So the day is given the name of the Double Ninth Festival.
Moreover, Jiu, which means the number nine, in Chinese represents longevity. In 1989, the Chinese government has set the day for respecting seniors, which embodies it with a new and modern meaning. It is a good example to combine tradition with modernity.
How Do Chongqing People Celebrate The Double Ninth Festival?
Mountain climbing chrysanthemum appreciating are traditional ways to celebrate the festival. Chongqing Garden Expo has prepared a chrysanthemum exhibition to attract visitors. The exhibition is to open on October 19, 2018. Colorful chrysanthemums in different shapes are waiting for you to discover!
Chongqing Garden Expo has prepared a chrysanthemum exhibition to attract visitors. (Photo from CQCB)
Sichuan International Studies University in Shapingba District, downtown Chongqing, organized an intangible cultural event on Wednesday. Participants watched the performance and experienced many traditional items.
Sichuan International Studies University in Shapingba District, downtown Chongqing, organized an intangible cultural event on the Double Ninth Festival. (Photo by Yang Xinyue)
Seniors were invited to visit Chongqing Jianchuan Museum at the festival. They got together and shared their memories and stories. Chongqing Jianchuan Museum in the E'gongyan Park in Jiulongpo District, downtown Chongqing, opened on June 18, 2018.
Seniors were invited to visit Chongqing Jianchuan Museum in downtown Chongqing on the Double Ninth Festival. (Photo by Zou Fei)
Aged ladies wore the traditional Chinese dress of Qipao, or cheongsam in Cantonese, to enjoy the festive atmosphere in the Minguo Street in Liangjiang International Studio City, Chongqing.
Senior ladies wore the traditional Chinese dress of Qipao to celebrate the Double Ninth Festival in the Minguo Street in Liangjiang International Studio City, Chongqing. (Photo by Li Hua)
Source: CQCB