Double Ninth Festival

重阳节 · Chóngyáng Jié. Ninth day of the ninth lunar month.

Red lanterns hanging before a pale moon
Lunar calendar重阳节Chóngyáng Jié

Autumn outings, chrysanthemums, and respect for older people are associated with Double Ninth. Its name refers to the two nines in its lunar date.

Story & background

Double Ninth connects autumn, longevity, and respect for older people. Its repeated ninths were traditionally considered auspicious, while climbing high and enjoying chrysanthemums became poetic ways to welcome the clear autumn air. Today its meaning is often expressed through time spent with older relatives rather than a fixed ceremony.

Customs

  • Call or visit an older relative.
  • Take an accessible autumn walk or enjoy chrysanthemums.
  • Send a thoughtful message if family members live far away.

Festival food

Chrysanthemum tea, double-ninth cake, and seasonal foods appear in different areas. Recipes and names are not uniform.

Try this

Ask an older family member about an autumn memory and learn 重阳安康 (Chóngyáng ānkāng), a warm seasonal wish.

Dates in this guide

2026: 2026-10-18 · 2027: 2027-10-08 · 2028: 2028-10-26

Useful word登高dēnggāoclimb to a height