Double Ninth Rituals: Mountain Climbing and Chrysanthemum Wine Ceremonies

BY NICOLE LAU

Double Ninth rituals celebrate yang energy peak, honor elders, and mark autumn's transition through mountain climbing, chrysanthemum appreciation, and longevity ceremonies. These practices, both ancient and meaningful, help us connect with natural cycles and celebrate long life.

Preparation: Before Double Ninth

Timing: Ninth day of the ninth lunar month, typically October

Planning: Choose mountain or high place to climb, gather chrysanthemums, prepare to visit elders

Gathering: Chrysanthemum wine or tea, Chongyang cake, dogwood sprigs, gifts for elders

Mental Preparation: Reflect on elders in your life, contemplate longevity and aging

The Mountain Climbing Ritual (登高, Dēnggāo)

The most iconic Double Ninth practice.

Choosing Your Mountain

Traditional: Actual mountains or hills

Urban: Tall buildings, towers, elevated parks

Accessible: Any high place—even climbing stairs counts

The Principle: Rising upward, ascending, reaching for height

The Climbing Ceremony

1. Morning Start: Begin early to catch sunrise if possible
2. Family Together: Climb with family, especially bringing elders who can manage
3. Mindful Ascent: As you climb, contemplate rising above difficulties, reaching for longevity
4. Dogwood Wearing: Pin dogwood sprigs to clothing for protection
5. Pause and Appreciate: Stop to enjoy autumn scenery, feel the season
6. Summit Celebration: At the top, celebrate the achievement, take in the view
7. Chrysanthemum Viewing: If chrysanthemums grow on the mountain, appreciate them
8. Descend Mindfully: Coming down represents returning to daily life enriched

The Symbolism

Rising Above: Ascending represents rising above misfortune and difficulties

Yang Energy: Upward movement embodies yang's active, ascending nature

Longevity: The higher you climb, the longer you'll live (traditional belief)

Perspective: From heights, you see life's bigger picture

The Chrysanthemum Appreciation Ritual (赏菊, Shǎngjú)

Honoring the flower of longevity and resilience.

Chrysanthemum Viewing

1. Visit Gardens: Go to chrysanthemum exhibitions or gardens
2. Contemplate Beauty: Spend time appreciating the flowers' colors, forms, resilience
3. Reflect on Resilience: Chrysanthemums bloom when other flowers fade—contemplate your own resilience
4. Photography: Capture the beauty to remember
5. Poetry: Traditional to compose poems about chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemum Wine Ceremony

Preparation: Chrysanthemum wine is traditionally made weeks before, steeping chrysanthemum petals in rice wine

The Ritual:

1. Gather family and friends
2. Pour chrysanthemum wine into small cups
3. Toast to longevity: "May we all live long and healthy lives"
4. Drink together
5. Share wishes for elders' health and long life

Modern Alternative: Chrysanthemum tea works perfectly for non-drinkers

Chrysanthemum Tea Ceremony

1. Brew fresh chrysanthemum tea
2. Serve in beautiful cups
3. Sip mindfully, appreciating the flower's essence
4. Contemplate longevity and health
5. Share tea with elders as a gesture of respect

Honoring Elders Ritual

The modern emphasis of Double Ninth as Seniors' Day.

Visiting Elders

1. Bring Gifts: Chrysanthemums, Chongyang cake, health supplements, warm clothing
2. Spend Time: Don't just drop gifts—spend quality time together
3. Listen to Stories: Ask elders about their lives, their wisdom
4. Express Gratitude: Thank them for their contributions and guidance
5. Offer Help: Ask what they need, provide practical assistance
6. Take Photos: Capture memories together

The Blessing Exchange

Younger to Elder: "May you live long and healthy, enjoying many more Double Ninths."

Elder to Younger: "May you rise high like our mountain climb, and bloom resilient like the chrysanthemum."

Wearing Dogwood Ritual (佩茱萸, Pèi Zhūyú)

Traditional protection practice.

The Practice:

1. Gather dogwood (Cornus officinalis) sprigs
2. Pin to clothing or make into sachets
3. Wear throughout the day
4. The strong scent is believed to repel evil and prevent illness

Modern Alternative: If dogwood unavailable, use other aromatic herbs with protective associations

Eating Chongyang Cake Ritual (重阳糕, Chóngyáng Gāo)

The special layered cake of the festival.

The Cake

Appearance: Multi-layered steamed cake, often with nuts, dates, chrysanthemum petals

Symbolism: Each layer represents ascending a level, rising higher

The Ritual

1. Preparation: Make or buy Chongyang cake
2. Offering to Elders: Give cake to elders first, showing respect
3. Eating Together: Share cake with family
4. Wishes: As you eat, wish for "rising higher" in life
5. For Those Who Can't Climb: Eating the layered cake symbolically represents climbing the mountain

Ancestor Veneration Ritual

In some regions, Double Ninth includes ancestor worship.

1. Altar Setup: Arrange ancestor photos or tablets
2. Offerings: Chrysanthemums, Chongyang cake, chrysanthemum wine, fruits
3. Incense: Light incense to invite ancestors' presence
4. Prayers: Thank ancestors for their legacy, ask for blessings
5. Sharing: Tell younger generations about ancestors' lives
6. Gratitude: Express thanks for the foundation they provided

Yang Energy Cultivation Ritual

Harnessing the peak yang energy of double nine.

1. Sunrise Practice: Face east at sunrise on Double Ninth
2. Breathwork: Practice energizing breathing (yang breath)
3. Movement: Tai chi, qigong, or active exercise
4. Visualization: Imagine golden yang energy filling your body
5. Affirmation: "I embody vitality, strength, and longevity"
6. Store Energy: Visualize storing this peak yang for the coming yin months

Modern Adaptations

Urban Mountain Climbing

For city dwellers:

• Climb tall building stairs
• Visit observation decks
• Hike in city parks with hills
• The principle of ascending matters more than the specific location

Virtual Celebration

For those separated from family:

• Video call elders while climbing
• Share photos of chrysanthemums
• Toast with chrysanthemum tea together online
• Tell stories and share memories virtually

Simplified Home Ritual

1. Brew chrysanthemum tea
2. Call or visit an elder
3. Climb stairs in your building
4. Eat something layered (representing Chongyang cake)
5. Reflect on longevity and aging

After Double Ninth

The work continues after the festival.

Maintain Contact: Continue visiting and honoring elders year-round

Longevity Practices: Keep up health practices inspired by the festival

Chrysanthemum Tea: Continue drinking for health benefits

Respect for Aging: Carry forward the festival's reverence for elders

The Heart of the Rituals

Double Ninth rituals aren't just symbolic gestures—they're transformative practices that help us honor elders and their wisdom, celebrate longevity and vitality, harness peak yang energy before winter, connect with nature's cycles, and contemplate our own aging with grace and resilience.