Double Ninth Folklore: Chrysanthemum Legends, Mountain Climbing, and Longevity

BY NICOLE LAU

The folklore of Double Ninth Festival is rich with chrysanthemum legends, mountain climbing tales, and longevity stories. These narratives encode wisdom about respecting elders, understanding energy cycles, and celebrating long life.

The Legend of Huan Jing

The most famous Double Ninth story establishes the festival's core traditions.

The Prophecy

The Story: During the Eastern Han Dynasty, a young man named Huan Jing studied with the Daoist immortal Fei Changfang. One day, the master's face grew grave. "On the ninth day of the ninth month, a terrible plague demon will descend upon your village. You must take your family to safety."

The Instructions: Fei Changfang gave Huan Jing specific instructions:

• Climb to the highest mountain
• Wear sprigs of dogwood
• Drink chrysanthemum wine
• Stay on the mountain until sunset

The Demon's Arrival

The Story: On the ninth day of the ninth month, Huan Jing led his family up the mountain, following every instruction. At noon, a terrible plague demon descended on the village. But when it approached the mountain, the strong scents of dogwood and chrysanthemum repelled it. Unable to reach the family, the demon raged through the empty village and left.

The Return: When Huan Jing's family returned at sunset, they found their livestock dead but their home intact. The demon had been unable to harm them.

The Tradition Born

The Spread: Word of Huan Jing's escape spread throughout China. Every year after, people climbed mountains, wore dogwood, and drank chrysanthemum wine on Double Ninth to protect themselves from misfortune.

The Teaching: Following wise guidance and traditional practices can protect us from harm. The old ways have power.

Chrysanthemum Legends

The Immortal's Flower

The Story: Long ago, a Daoist immortal descended to earth disguised as a beggar. He asked villagers for food and water, but all refused except one poor family who shared their meager meal. In gratitude, the immortal gave them chrysanthemum seeds, saying, "Plant these and drink tea from the flowers. You will live long and healthy lives."

The Result: The family planted the seeds, drank chrysanthemum tea daily, and all lived past 100 years in perfect health.

The Teaching: Kindness brings blessings. Chrysanthemums carry the gift of longevity.

The Resilient Bloom

The Story: A scholar asked a Daoist master why chrysanthemums were special. The master replied, "All other flowers bloom in spring and summer when life is easy. Only the chrysanthemum blooms in autumn when frost threatens. It shows us that true strength appears when conditions are difficult."

The Teaching: Like chrysanthemums, we should remain vibrant and beautiful even in life's autumn. Resilience is more valuable than ease.

The Nine Colors

The Story: Legend says the first chrysanthemum had nine colors, one for each yang number. A greedy merchant tried to steal it to sell for profit, but when he touched it, the flower turned to dust. Only those who appreciate beauty without grasping can enjoy chrysanthemums.

The Teaching: Beauty cannot be possessed, only appreciated. Greed destroys what it seeks to own.

Mountain Climbing Folklore

Rising Above Misfortune

The Story: A village suffered yearly floods on Double Ninth. An elder suggested everyone climb the nearby mountain on that day. They did, and from the peak, they saw the flood waters rise and recede without harming anyone. The practice continued, and the village prospered.

The Teaching: Sometimes we must rise above our problems to see them clearly and avoid harm.

The Higher You Climb

The Saying: "The higher you climb on Double Ninth, the longer you'll live."

The Story: Two brothers climbed mountains on Double Ninth. The younger, lazy brother climbed a small hill. The elder brother climbed the highest peak. The elder lived to 99, the younger to 70. People said the difference was in their climbing.

The Teaching: Effort and ambition lead to longevity. Don't settle for easy paths.

Longevity Tales

The Centenarian's Secret

The Story: A man who lived to 120 was asked his secret. He replied, "Every Double Ninth, I climb a mountain, drink chrysanthemum wine, and honor my elders. I've done this since I was young. The mountain keeps my body strong, the chrysanthemum keeps my mind clear, and honoring elders keeps my spirit humble."

The Teaching: Longevity comes from body, mind, and spirit practices combined.

The Dogwood Protection

The Story: During a plague year, two villages existed side by side. One followed Double Ninth traditions including wearing dogwood; the other dismissed them as superstition. The plague ravaged the second village but barely touched the first. Whether the dogwood truly protected them or their faith did, no one could say.

The Teaching: Traditional practices carry wisdom, whether through physical properties or psychological power.

Elder Wisdom Stories

The Disrespectful Son

The Story: A wealthy man refused to celebrate Double Ninth, saying, "Why honor the old? They're useless." That night, he dreamed of himself as an old man, abandoned and alone. He woke weeping and from then on, honored elders every Double Ninth.

The Teaching: We will all be old someday. How we treat elders now determines how we'll be treated later.

The Grandmother's Blessing

The Story: A poor student visited his grandmother every Double Ninth, bringing her chrysanthemums he picked himself. She blessed him each time. Years later, he became a great scholar. He said, "My grandmother's blessings on Double Ninth gave me wisdom and longevity."

The Teaching: Honoring elders brings blessings that last a lifetime.

The Chongyang Cake Legend

The Story: A mother couldn't climb mountains due to age, so her children brought her a layered cake, saying, "Each layer represents a step up the mountain. Eating this is like climbing with us." The mother was so moved that she lived another 20 years.

The Practice: This became the tradition of Chongyang cake, allowing those who can't climb to still participate.

The Teaching: Adapt traditions so everyone can participate. Inclusion matters more than rigid rules.

Modern Folklore

The Skyscraper Climb

The Story: In modern Shanghai, an elderly man climbed the stairs of a 50-story building every Double Ninth. At 90, he still did it. When asked why, he said, "Mountains or buildings, the principle is the same—keep rising."

The Teaching: Traditions can adapt to modern life while keeping their essence.

The Video Call

The Story: A young woman working abroad couldn't visit her grandmother on Double Ninth. She video-called her while climbing a mountain, showing her grandmother the view. The grandmother said, "You're climbing for both of us." They both cried and laughed.

The Teaching: Technology can help maintain traditions across distances. The spirit matters more than physical presence.

The Wisdom in the Stories

Double Ninth folklore teaches essential truths:

Respect Elders: They carry wisdom and deserve honor. We'll be old someday too.

Traditional Wisdom: Old practices often contain protective power, whether physical or psychological.

Resilience: Like chrysanthemums blooming in autumn, we can thrive in difficult times.

Rising Above: Climbing mountains symbolizes rising above problems and reaching for longevity.

Longevity Practices: Body (climbing), mind (chrysanthemum), spirit (honoring elders) all contribute to long life.

Adaptation: Traditions can evolve while keeping their essence. Skyscrapers or mountains, video calls or visits—the spirit of connection matters.

These stories aren't just entertainment—they're encoded wisdom about aging gracefully, honoring those who came before, and understanding that longevity comes from respecting natural cycles and traditional practices.