Double Ninth Day in Taiwan

When did the Double Ninth Day in Taiwan start?

The first recorded date of Double Ninth Day in Taiwan being celebrated on October 29 was in the year 1980.

About Double Ninth Day in Taiwan Holiday

Double Ninth Day, one of Taiwan's most widely celebrated festivals, is a joyous event of life and growth. It is a day of appreciation and honoring our ancestors, while expressing a strong sense of community and belonging. The festival is a fun and vibrant celebration of literature, music and food, and is widely celebrated throughout the entire country of Taiwan.

The celebration of Double Ninth Day marks the ninth day of the ninth lunar month of the lunar calendar. During this day, people of Taiwan make it a point to travel to high elevation mountains, often accompanied by their friends and families. The main activities of the festival are lighting incense, appreciation of chrysanthemums, eating Chinese cakes for strength and stamina called “Chong Yang”, and drinking chrysanthemum tea. During this day, the people of Taiwan also attend special memorial activities to honor their ancestors and to show their appreciation to them.

Let us come together to celebrate Double Ninth Day in Taiwan and appreciate the strong ties between us and our ancestors. Let us celebrate the love and laughter, the tradition and the beauty of the culture of Taiwan. Let us cherish this special day to develop closer ties of friendship, acceptance and love.

Double Ninth Day in Taiwan

History and Origin

Double Ninth Day in Taiwan is an annual holiday that falls on the ninth day of the ninth month in the traditional Chinese calendar. It is also known as Chrysanthemum Festival, Celebration of Longevity, and a few other local terms. The celebration of Double Ninth Day stems from the myth of “The ninth day of the ninth lunar month”, which began to prevail in the Warring States period (475-221 BC). The myth tells of a monster named “Gou Mang” who came out of the land and water to swallow people and livestock, and that each year, it would appear in autumn, on the ninth day of the ninth month. The people then decided to climb to a higher place and hold ceremonies to ward off evil.

In ancient times, Double Ninth Day was associated with food, rituals, and sacrifice to drive away the evil spirit, and to avoid disasters. But in later periods, the festival has evolved to become more of a holiday with the main focus being on celebrating and honoring the elderly as a sign of gratitude. Today Double Ninth Day is widely commemorated in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macao, Singapore, Malaysia, and other East Asian countries.

Significance and Meaning

In Taiwan, Double Ninth Day is a serious time for reverence. It is an important opportunity to show respect and appreciation for the elderly in the family. The elderly are celebrated and respected as having wisdom accumulated through generations and as those who can provide guidance and share their guidance. It has been said that there is nothing more important than respect. Double Ninth Day is viewed as a time to come together and appreciate the elders. It is also a time for the family to reunite and express love.

Traditions and Celebrations

In modern-day Taiwan, the celebrations and activities associated with Double Ninth Day can vary from region to region. The main festival activities include people offering sacrifices to their ancestors, such as candles, incense, and wines. People also exchange gifts such as pastries and other foods as a sign of respect.

To ward off evil and to celebrate longevity, people also enjoy learning about the country’s rich culture. Some of the popular activities include watching traditional Chinese operas, speaking Chinese poetry, and participating in dragon dances. These cultural activities are considered moral education and are meant to remind the young of the importance of retaining traditional culture.

Geographical Spread

Double Ninth Day is widely celebrated in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, as well as in parts of Malaysia, Singapore, and Macao. In particular, the island of Taiwan has a more elaborate celebration of the holiday. In Taiwan, the holiday is divided into two days and celebrated with more festivities, ritual activities, and celebratory events on the two days before and after the holiday proper.

The celebrations are mainly located in the northern, central, and southern parts of the island. In the southern part of the island, the holiday celebration often includes dragon-boat racing, in which teams row dragon-shaped boats around Circular Mound Island. This tradition is believed to be tied to the sacrificial practices associated with Double Ninth Day.

In the central part of Taiwan, people traditionally offer sacrificial foods at ancestral graves in addition to carrying out leisure activities. Common to both the southern and central parts, people are fond of seeking safety and health by drinking chrysanthemum tea and eating chrysanthemum cake.

The northern part of the island is known for its vigorous and colorful celebration with a variety of activities. From the Day of Double Nine to the 16th day of the ninth lunar month, people prepare for the festival by offering sacrifices dedicated to the gods, and the day begins with a big ceremony. Then, participants carry their ancestor’s tablets and parade them through the streets of towns.

Modern Day Observations

Today, the traditions and commemorative culture of Double Ninth Day in Taiwan has kept pretty much the same. However, there is an evolution in modern celebrations. Nowadays, festival activities range from traditional rituals, operas, and religious activities to more modern day activities, such as flower exhibitions, dragon-boat swimming competitions, and yard concerts. The holiday has also been promoted as a “Respect for the Elderly” day on which children can show their respect and gratitude for their elders.

Interesting Facts or Trivia

1.Chong Yang Festival Double Ninth is also known as the Chong Yang Festival, with ‘Chong’ meaning ‘double’, and ‘Yang’ meaning ‘ninth’, and it is understood that the two words combined form this special day.

2.The symbol of the Chrysanthemum The symbol of longevity – the chrysanthemum is believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits, and the flower is planted as decorations in most households during this time of the year.

3.Do Good Deeds It is believed that doing good deeds during Double Ninth Day will result in fortune.

4.The Legend of Huan Jing The story is about a young man known as Huan Jing, who, because of his courage, strength, loyalty, and filial piety, is encouraged by his father to take the risk of fighting a monster that comes out of the ocean every 9th day of the 9th month.

5.Family Reunion Double Ninth Day is a great tradition for family reunions for all generations.

Holiday Wishes

1. Wishing you good health and longevity on Double Ninth Day.
2. Wishing you a peaceful and prosperous Double Ninth Day!
3. Enjoy your Double Ninth Day and have a wonderful time!
4. May Double Ninth Day bring you joy and happiness!
5. May your life be as sweet and delightful as chrysanthemum tea!

Holiday Messages

1. Double Ninth Day is a special day to rejoice and appreciate our elders. Let’s show our respect and gratitude!
2. Double Ninth Day is a time for family reunion and enjoying the beauty of chrysanthemums.
3. On this special day, may you be blessed with a life full of love and joy.
4. Have a wonderful Double Ninth Day! May this day bring you luck, fortune, and longevity.
5. Wishing you a joyous and peaceful Double Ninth Day!

Holiday Quotes

1. “The chrysanthemums and bamboos are like two old friends, one turning yellow while the other stays green.” –Chinese proverb
2. “May all your wishes be fulfilled and all your dreams come true on Double Ninth Day.” –Anonymous
3. “Double Ninth Day is a festival of joy, a harvest of blessings, and an opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to our forefathers.” –Anonymous
4. “The chrysanthemum, long associated with longevity, serves as a reminder to cherish our elders on this special day.” –Anonymous
5. “Longevity, honor and strength. May these things of great value be yours on this Double Ninth Day.” – Anonymous

Other Popular Holiday Info

Double Ninth Day has significant importance in Chinese culture, as it represents the celebration of respect and appreciation for their elders. It is also a time to honor those who passed away. But beyond the traditional values associated with the holiday, Double Ninth Day has become a popular tourist destination in Taiwan. Over the years, the festival has attracted hordes of domestic and international tourists as people flock to various spots to enjoy the holiday celebration and to take part in the cultural activities.

In recent years, Double Ninth Day has been further promoted as a tourism event in Taiwan, with more varieties of foods, music, and decorations being offered to the public. Tourists come from all over the world to participate in the festive atmosphere and explore the traditions and cultural activities related this holiday. Popular places to visit are theapi Island, Sun Moon Lake, and Ximending, located within the capital city of Taipei. All these spots offer views of modernity and traditional culture blending together to create a unique atmosphere.

Double Ninth Day in Taiwan is an occasion of joy and togetherness that offers us the chance to honor and show gratitude for our elderly. It is also a valuable reminder that the past, present, and future generations are connected and that values of respect, kindness, and love should be given due recognition.