Today is Double Ninth Festival | How much do you know about the traditions of the Double Ninth Festival?

The ancients designated “nine” as a yang number; on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, two nines coincide, hence the name “Chongyang,” also known as “Double Ninth.” Moreover, since “jiu jiu” sounds like “jiu jiu” (long-lasting), it came to symbolize enduring longevity. For this reason, the ancients regarded it as an especially auspicious and celebratory day. The tradition of observing the ninth day of the ninth lunar month as a festival can be traced back to the Han dynasty, and by the Tang dynasty it had been officially named the Chongyang Festival, a custom that has endured to the present day.