The Double Ninth Festival, also known as the Chong Yang Festival, is occurring on Monday, October 23, 2023. While many people may not have heard of this holiday, it’s celebrated within multiple Asian countries, even if its popularity varies between these countries.
This festival is celebrated in Shinto shrines and Buddhist Temples, and it is done partly to cure illness. The holiday always lands on the ninth day of the ninth month of the lunisolar calendar, which is why it’s called the Double Ninth Festival because there are two nines on the date.
The origins of this holiday date back to the Warring States Period in China, as it originated to drive away danger. There are multiple legends that describe the origins of the holiday.
Some of the other countries that celebrate this holiday other than China are Korea, which calls it Jungyangjeol; Japan, which calls it Kiku no Sekku; and Vietnam, which calls it Tết Trùng cửu.
During the celebration, people partake in a wide variety of celebrations. Most notably, people like to climb mountains, drink chrysanthemum liquor, wear the zhuyu plant, make food offerings, and visit graves. Additionally, people also have a big feast on this holiday.