Double Ninth Altar: Chrysanthemums, Dogwood, and Ancestor Symbols

BY NICOLE LAU

Creating a Double Ninth altar honors elders, celebrates longevity, and creates sacred space for yang energy peak. This guide teaches you to build an altar that captures the festival's themes of vitality, ancestral wisdom, and graceful aging.

Altar Placement and Timing

Location: Elevated space if possible (honoring the mountain climbing tradition), facing east or south (yang directions)

Timing: Set up on Double Ninth day (ninth day of ninth lunar month), can maintain year-round for ongoing elder honor and longevity work

Essential Altar Elements

1. Chrysanthemums

The centerpiece flower of Double Ninth.

Colors: Yellow/gold (yang energy), white (purity), purple (longevity)

Arrangement: Fresh chrysanthemums in vases, potted plants, or dried flowers

Symbolism: Longevity, resilience, autumn beauty, vitality in later life

2. Elder or Ancestor Photos

Honoring those who've lived long.

Options: Photos of living elders you respect, deceased ancestors, or archetypal wise elders

Placement: Center back of altar, elevated with respect

3. Dogwood Sprigs

Traditional protective herb.

Use: Fresh dogwood (Cornus officinalis) if available, or substitute with other protective aromatic herbs

Placement: In small vases or bundles tied with red thread

Symbolism: Protection from illness and misfortune

4. Yellow/Gold Candles

Representing yang energy peak.

Number: Nine candles (for double nine) or multiples of nine

Arrangement: In groups of three (3x3 formation)

5. Chongyang Cake

The festival's special layered cake.

Symbolism: Ascending, rising higher, layers of life

Use: Offer to elders/ancestors, share with family

6. Chrysanthemum Wine or Tea

The longevity beverage.

Presentation: In beautiful cups or wine vessels

Use: Offer to altar, drink mindfully for longevity

7. Mountain Imagery

Representing the climbing tradition.

Options: Photos of mountains, paintings, small rock formations, crystals arranged as peaks

8. Number Nine Symbols

Emphasizing the yang peak.

Ideas: Nine stones, nine coins, nine crystals, anything in groups of nine

9. Longevity Symbols

Traditional Chinese longevity imagery.

Options: Peach (immortality), crane (long life), pine tree (endurance), tortoise (longevity), bamboo (resilience)

10. Incense

Purifying and honoring.

Types: Sandalwood, chrysanthemum-scented, or traditional Chinese incense

Color Scheme

Primary colors: Yellow/gold (yang energy, vitality), white (chrysanthemum, purity)

Accent colors: Purple (longevity), green (health), red (protection, life force)

Altar Arrangement

Back Row (Highest - like mountain peak):

• Elder/ancestor photos (center, elevated)
• Mountain imagery
• Longevity symbols

Middle Row:

• Chrysanthemums in vases (prominent)
• Nine yellow candles (3x3 formation)
• Dogwood sprigs

Front Row:

• Chongyang cake on offering plate
• Chrysanthemum wine/tea in cups
• Incense holder
• Nine stones or crystals
• Fresh fruits (especially peaches if available)

Special Touches

Ascending Levels

Arrange altar items on different heights, creating an ascending effect like climbing a mountain.

Gold Cloth

Cover altar surface with gold or yellow cloth representing yang energy.

Calligraphy

Chinese characters for longevity (寿, shòu), nine (九, jiǔ), or yang (阳, yáng).

Personal Items from Elders

Objects that belonged to respected elders, carrying their energy.

Daily Altar Practices

Morning:

• Light candles and incense
• Offer fresh chrysanthemum tea
• Bow to elders/ancestors
• Meditate on longevity and vitality

Double Ninth Day:

• Full ceremony with all offerings
• Light all nine candles
• Offer Chongyang cake
• Pour chrysanthemum wine
• Speak prayers for longevity
• Honor elders specifically

Ritual Uses

Elder Honoring Ceremony

1. Light all candles and incense
2. Offer chrysanthemums, cake, and wine
3. Bow three times to elder photos
4. Speak: "I honor you who have lived long and wise. I respect your accumulated wisdom. I seek your blessings for longevity and health. May I age as gracefully as you."
5. Sit in meditation, receiving their blessing
6. Share offerings (eat cake, drink tea)

Longevity Prayer

1. Stand before altar
2. Light yellow candles
3. Hold chrysanthemum
4. Pray: "On this day of double yang, I pray for long life and vitality. May I bloom like the chrysanthemum in all seasons. May I rise like the mountain climber to new heights. May I age with grace, wisdom, and health."
5. Place chrysanthemum on altar
6. Drink chrysanthemum tea

Yang Energy Cultivation

1. Arrange nine items in 3x3 grid
2. Light all nine candles
3. Speak: "Nine times nine, yang at its peak. I harness this golden energy. I store this vitality for the coming yin months. Yang power fills me."
4. Visualize golden light filling you
5. Meditate on vitality

Modern Adaptations

Small Space: Windowsill altar with one chrysanthemum, elder photo, yellow candle, small cup of tea

Minimalist: Focus on essentials—chrysanthemum, elder image, nine candles

Travel Altar: Portable kit with chrysanthemum petals, elder photo, tea light, small stones

Digital Element: Use tablet to display mountain scenes or elder photos if physical items unavailable

Activating Your Altar

Once set up, activate your altar:

1. Light all candles and incense
2. Stand before the altar
3. Speak: "On this Double Ninth Festival, I create this sacred space to honor elders, celebrate longevity, and harness yang energy at its peak. May this altar be a focal point for vitality, wisdom, and graceful aging. I honor those who came before and prepare for my own elder years with grace."
4. Offer chrysanthemums and tea
5. Bow to elders/ancestors
6. Sit in meditation

Maintaining the Altar

Double Ninth Day: Full rituals, all offerings, complete ceremony

Ongoing: Can maintain year-round for continued elder honor and longevity work

Weekly: Light candles, offer fresh chrysanthemums, honor elders

Monthly: On ninth day of each month, special longevity prayers

After Double Ninth

You can either dismantle or maintain:

Dismantling:

1. Perform final ceremony with gratitude
2. Thank elders for blessings
3. Share remaining offerings
4. Clean and store items respectfully

Maintaining:

• Keep as year-round elder honor altar
• Use for ongoing longevity work
• Refresh on each Double Ninth
• Add new elder photos as appropriate

The Living Altar

Your Double Ninth altar isn't just decoration—it's a living presence, a focal point for honoring elders and their wisdom, celebrating longevity and vitality, harnessing yang energy at its peak, and contemplating your own aging with grace, resilience, and the beauty of the chrysanthemum blooming in autumn.