6 things you need to know about Double Ninth Festival

The 9th day of the 9th lunar month is the traditional Chongyang Festival, or Double Ninth Festival, which falls on Oct 17 this year.

Chong in Chinese means "double". Also, as double ninth was pronounced the same as the word to signify "forever", both are Jiu Jiu, Chinese ancestors considered it an auspicious day worth celebration. That's why ancient Chinese began to celebrate this festival long ago.

Here are 6 things you may not know about Double Ninth Festival.

Wearing cornel twigs (Dogwood)

The cornel (dogwood) is a species of evergreen arbor, which is a heavy-scented plant whose fruit is edible and stock and leaves can be medicinal materials.

Ancient people believed that planting cornel twigs on Double Ninth Festival could prevent diseases and avoid disasters. They also wore the cornel twigs on their arms or heads or put them in sachets. 

Most people that follow the custom are women and children, and in some places men also wear them.

Enjoying chrysanthemum flowers

Also known as "yellow flower", chrysanthemum is of varied species in the composite family. 

Though its florescence lasts long, this perennial herb usually begins to bloom in the 9th lunar month, lending a festive flavor to the Double Ninth Day. That's why the month is also referred to as "the month of chrysanthemum".

Eating Double Ninth cake

Double Ninth cake is also known as "chrysanthemum cake" or "flower cake".

It dates back to the Zhou Dynasty (the 11th century-256 BC). It is said that the cake was originally prepared after autumn harvests for farmers to have a taste of what was just in season, and it gradually became the cake for people to eat on the Double Ninth Day.

Admittedly, this one feels like a cheat. It's a play on the word for cake gao, meaning high, which makes people feel like eating cake is a substitute for climbing a mountain.

Chrysanthemum flower wine

The chrysanthemum wine, infused with cornel twigs (dogwood) fruit, has wholesome effects on assuagement of pain and regulation of the flow of vital energy. While climbing mountains on the Double Ninth Day, ancient Chinese liked to wear cornel twigs (dogwood) in their hair and drank the wine.

Climbing heights

People like to climb heights (mountains) on this festival, so Double Ninth Festival is also called "Mountain-climbing Festival".

The 9th lunar month, with clear autumn skies and bracing air, is a good time for sightseeing. 

An outing lover, who stands on a height looking afar this month, will have a panoramic view of a blue sky with pale clouds and dark green mountains, which makes him or her carefree and joyful.

Family get-togethers

The Double Ninth Festival is also a time for family get-togethers. It is an occasion to remember one's ancestors, the sacrifices they made and the hardships they underwent.

Often, family outings are organized where people search to renew their appreciation of nature and to reaffirm their love and concern for family members and close friends. Cl