The Double Ninth Festival  
     The "Chong Yang Festival" is celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth lunar [?lju:n?](農(nóng)歷) month, and it is as such known as the Double Ninth Festival(重陽節(jié)).
Origins: The festival began as early as the Warring States Period(戰(zhàn)國時期) (475 - 221 BC). According to the yin/yang dichotomy(兩分) that forms a basis to the Chinese world view, yin(陰) represents the elements of darkness(黑暗元素) and yang(陽) represents life and brightness(生命和光明). The number nine is regarded as yang. The ninth day of the ninth month is a double yang day, hence the name "Chong Yang Festival". (Chong means "repeat"(重復(fù)) in Chinese.) The ninth month also heralds(預(yù)示) the approach of winter.(冬天的來臨) It is a time when the living need warm clothing, and filial [?f?li:?l](孝順的) Chinese sons and daughters extended this to make the festival a time for providing winter clothes for their ancestors.(祖先) The Double Ninth Festival, therefore, also became an occasion [??kei??n](場合) to visit the graves of dead family members. Clothes made of paper would then be burnt as offerings.(貢品)

Climbing mountains(登山): On the Double Ninth Festival, people customarily(習(xí)慣的) climb mountains, appreciate chrysanthemum [kri?s?nθ?m?m](菊花) flowers, drink chrysanthemum wine, and eat double-ninth cakes. The Double Ninth Festival is also the "Old Men Festival"(老人節(jié)). Old people are especially meant to improve their health by taking part in the activities on the day of the festival.

Family get-togethers(家庭成員的團(tuán)聚): The Double Ninth Festival is also a time for family get-togethers. It is an occasion to remember one's ancestors, the sacrifices(犧牲) they made and the hardships(困難) they underwent. Often, family outings(家庭戶外活動) are organised during which people search to renew [ri?nju:](重新開始) their appreciation of nature and to reaffirm [?ri:??f?:m](再確認(rèn)) their love and concern for family members and close friends.