The Double Ninth Festival 重阳节
It is the double 9th festival today, the 9th day of the 9th month on the lunar calendar. The festival is considered a traditional occasion to pay respect to the aged. In Chinese numerology(数字命理学), the number 9 stands for masculinity (Yang) and 6 for femininity (Ying). In a branch of Daoism（道教） that values the masculine energy. The practitioners will climb up to the very highest point of the hill by noon to absorb all those energy from the Sun, the ultimate（根本） symbol for Yang. Since most of the Daoism practitioners are respectable members of the society. Many common citizens copy this behavior. After centuries, it becomes a tradition to climb up mountains on this day. It is also the day to pay your respect to the old, since Daoists tend to age very gracefully.While you are up there, pick a branch from this fragrant Rutaceae plant and pin it on your clothes. Its aroma（香味）is known to expel(驱走) bugs and enhance（增强）your health.
WANG Wei (701~761) is one of my favorite poets. On this 9th day of the 9th lunar month, long, long time ago, he wrote this famous poem. It became an instant classic and spread all over China.
《九月九日忆山东兄弟》王维.
独在异乡为异客，每逢佳节倍思亲。
遥知兄弟登高处， 遍插茱萸少一人。
In this foreign land I am a lone stranger
Holidays make me miss the family most
Far away my brothers must be reaching for the height
Rutaceae branches on lapels, one extra
Re:The Double Ninth Festival 重阳节
Happy Double Ninth Festival to all the elders!! The Double Ninth Festival is also a time when chrysanthemum(菊花) blooms. China boasts diversified species（各种各样的） of chrysanthemum and people have loved them since ancient times. So enjoying the flourishing（繁茂的） chrysanthemum also becomes a key activity on this festival. Also, people will drink chrysanthemum wine. Women used to stick such a flower into their hair or hang its branches on windows or doors to avoid evilness（邪恶）.The dogwood(山茱萸) is a plant with a strong fragrance（香气）, often used as a Chinese herbal medicine. People in ancient times believed it could drive away evil spirits and prevent one from getting a chill in late autumn.
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