Ancient Chinese Began To Celebrate The Double Ninth Festival Long Time Ago

The 9th day of the 9th lunar month is the traditional Chongyang Festival, or Double Ninth Festival. It usually falls in October in the Gregorian calendar. In an ancient and mysterious book Yi Jing, or The Book of Changes, number "6" was thought to be of Yincharacter, meaning feminine or negative, while number "9" was thought to be Yang, meaning masculine or positive. So the number nine in both month and day create the Double Ninth Festival, or Chongyang Festival. Chong in Chinese means "double." Also, as double ninth was pronounced the same as the word to signify "forever", both are "Jiu Jiu," the Chinese ancestors considered it an auspicious day worth celebration. That's why ancient Chinese began to celebrate this festival long time ago.

The Double Ninth Festival, also known as Chongyang Festival, is held on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. It is also known as the Senior Citizens’ Festival. According to records from the mysterious book Yi Jing, the number 6 belonged to the Yin character while the number 9 was thought to be of the Yang character. So, on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, both day and month are Yang characters. Therefore, the festival was named the Double Ninth Festival. In ancient times, people believed that the double ninth day was worth a celebration. Since folk people had the tradition of climbing a mountain on that day, the Chongyang Festival is also called the Height Ascending Festival. The Chongyang Festival also has other names, such as the Chrysanthemum Festival. As “double ninth” is pronounced the same as the word meaning “forever,” ancestors are also worshipped on that day.

The festival is based on the theory of Yin and Yang, the two opposing principles in nature. Yin is feminine, negative principle, while Yang is masculine and positive. The ancients believed that all natural phenomena could be esplained by this theory. Numbers are related to this theory. Even numbers belong to Yin and odd numbers to Yang. The ninth day of the ninth lunar month is a day when the two Yang numbers meet. So it is called Chongyang. Chong means double in Chinese.Chongyang has been an important festival since ancient times.

The festival is held in the golden season of autumn, at harvest -time. The bright clear weather and the joy of bringing in the harvest make for a festive happy atmosphere.The Double Ninth Festival is usually perfect for outdoor activities. Many people go hiking and climbing in the country, enjoying Mother Natures final burst of color before she puts on her dull winter cloak. Some will carry a spray of dogwood.
It is hard to say when these customs were created. But there are many stories which are closely related. The book Xu Qi Xie Ji ,written by Wu Jun in the sixth century has one such story. In ancient times, there lived a man named Huan Jing. He was learning the magic arts from Fei Changfang, who had become an immortal after many years of practicing Taoism. One day, the two were climbing a muntain. Fei Changfang suddenly stopped and looked very upset. He told Huan Jing,On the ninth day of the ninth month, disaster will come to your hometown. You must go home immediately. Remember to make a red bag for each one of your family members and put a spray of dogwood in every one. Then you must all tie your bags to your arms, leave home quickly and climb to the top of a mountain. Most importantly, you must all drink some chrysanthemum wine. Only by doing so can your family avoid this disaster.

Things Chinese Do in Double Ninth Festival – Chinese Folklore

As mentioned above, on Chongyang Festival, people climb a high mountain drink chrysanthemum wine, and wear Cornus leaves in order to protect themselves from danger and evil. Also on this holiday, some Chinese also visit the graves of their ancestors to pay their respects.

Indeed, the Double Ninth Festival may have started out as a day to drive away danger, but like the Chinese New Year, over time it has become a day of celebration. In contemporary times it is an occasion for hiking and chrysanthemum appreciation.

Most people drink chrysanthemum tea, while a few strict traditionalists drink homemade chrysanthemum wine. Children in school learn poems about chrysanthemums, and many localities host a chrysanthemum exhibition. Mountain climbing races are also popular; winners get to wear made of cornus.

Origin of Double Ninth Festival – Chinese Folklore

The Double Ninth Festival, also named Chongyang Festival, falls on the ninth day of the ninth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, hence it gets the name of Double Ninth Festival.

Chong means double and yang represents active, masculine. According to the traditional Chinese theory of yin and yang, both the 9th month and the 9th day of the month belong to yang, so is the name “Chongyang.

Want To Know What The Big Deal About Groundhog Day Is?

A tradition that has been celebrated in North America and Canada for years, since the 1800s to give you an idea, that is what Groundhog Day is all about. It is celebrated with a lot of color, cleaning and celebration in New York and Pennsylvania on February 2nd. You can even have an anticipation-spring party if you want to have some fun.

So what happens on February 2nd every year? A woodchuck, groundhog, ground squirrel or marmot comes out of its burrow and checks for its shadow. If it sees a shadow it will go back into its burrow for 6 more weeks of winter and if there is no shadow it will stay on the ground and this means spring is near.

History of Groundhog Day
Most people think that the Groundhog Day tradition was brought about by the German settlers in Pennsylvania, though this is true there is another significance. Groundhog day is exactly 40 days after Christmas and Christians have a close tie with 40 days. Groundhog Day is the first holiday in the New Year.
There is a Scottish poem that also plays a part in the tradition and history of Groundhog Day. This is how it goes:
"As the light grows longer
The cold grows stronger
If Candlemas be fair and bright
Winter will have another light
If Candlemas be cloud and Snow
Winter will be gone and not come again
A should on Candlemas day
Have half his corn and half his hay
On Candlemas day is throns hang a drop
You can be sure of a good pea crop."

Significance of February 2nd.
Since the first week of February falls between the winter solstice and spring equinox, it is the perfect time for the groundhog's peek a boo with the clouds and shadows. The month of February has been significant for many cultures including Christians who celebrate Candlemas and Romans who celebrate the mid-season festival. Also the pagans Irish celebrate the arrival of spring around the same time.

What is so special about the Ground hog?
Ok so most of us will find it strange that a day is dedicated to a groundhog, but those in Pennsylvania will not. The groundhog is an animal that hibernates for winter and when it leaves its burrow it means that may be, just maybe spring is coming and the cold harsh winter is over. This tradition started with the Germans who migrated to Pennsylvania, come February they would look for groundhogs to check whether it has left its burrow or not, in the hopes of an early winter. Though this may be superstition it is rooted in the fact that when you can see a shadow it means that winter is around because there are no clouds to insulate the earth.

Celebrating Groundhog Day
America can thank Clymer Freas and W. Smith for the celebrations that are seen these days on groundhog's day. These two people, the former a newspaper editor and the latter an American congressman and newspaper publisher, popularized a festival in Punxsutawney in Pennsylvania (where the Germans settled). This festival was centered on a groundhog that would help in predicting the weather and if spring were to begin there would be celebration all around. These days it is a groundhog called Punxsutawney Phil that gets all the popularity on this day thanks to the movie called Groundhog Day. In Canada it is an albino groundhog called Wiarton Willy who has the same honor of predicting winter or spring.

Take A Leap Into The Quinceanera Traditions Of The Hispanic Culture

A few days back, when I was driving downtown to finish some shopping chores, a beautifully decorated house on the way caught my eyes. It looked festive with a lot of people dressed in their best clothes and chattering around in utter happiness. Some of the young girls had worn beautiful bridesmaid outfits. The flower decoration was engrossing with shades of white, pink and lavender. Then I saw a pretty hispanic girl step out of the house elegantly escorted by her parents. As she stepped out there was a lot of rejoicing. The girl was dressed in a full length white and pink dress embroidered with fancy frills and pastel stones. She wore an attractive headdress too. I was almost convinced that it was a wedding when a passerby commented something on this Quinceanera tradition. When I asked him more about it, I came to know this was an age-old custom in hispanic culture that rejoices the commencement of adulthood in a girl's life. It was indeed a captivating custom and compelled me to learn more about this tradition. So, after collecting some interesting facts and finds on quinceanera traditions, with great pleasure, I share them with my readers!

The journey of life from an innocent childhood to an aesthetic adulthood is an exciting phase in the life of a girl. The physical changes, the sudden hormonal surges and the maturing mind rush together marking the beginning of the adulthood. The feeling is special and this unique quinceanera tradition makes it all the more an alluring experience for the girl. The origin of this tradition goes back to the ancient Aztec culture, when the marking of adulthood in a girl transformed her into a young woman with responsibilities. The word quinceanera was derived from the Spanish word quince which means fifteen. Quinceanera tradition is prominently practiced in countries like Mexico, Puerto Rica and Cuba.

Quinceanera Traditions in Mexico
Mexico is a country with a rich culture which is a blend of Aztec, Mayan and Spanish cultures. One of the famous traditions of the Mexican culture is the quinceanera tradition, which has been a Christian adaptation of the Aztec culture. This custom signifies the "coming of age" in a female, thereby stating that she has attained the sexual maturity and is now eligible for marriage. Quinceanera tradition starts with the most important ceremony - The Mass, followed by a grand reception. Exhibits like Pinata are gifted to the little children in the ceremony and the function ends with an exquisite banquet.

The Thanksgiving Mass: This function starts with a mass prayer in church. The celibate girl is usually dressed in a white frilly ball gown and is gifted accessories like a tiara, bracelet, earrings and necklaces. The white color of the gown symbolizes purity and chastity. She also wears a headpiece before the prayer starts. This headpiece signifies her importance before the Almighty. She is then handed a rosary and a Bible. The Quinceanera Bible is an important asset for the girl, which is intended to remind her to follow the Lord's word in all walks of her life. Both the Bible and the rosary stand for her faith in God. The girl is then accompanied by 14 damas (the maids accompanying the girl who are mostly females close to fifteen or may have turned fifteen) and are made to sit in an honor seat near the altar. The Mass also known as Misa de acción de gracias starts with a thanks prayer that seeks the blessings for the celebrated girl for her coming of age and the new challenges that await her in life ahead. Usually, these prayers are conducted by the padrinos who accompany the girl to the church. The most important moment that ought to be captured is the time when the girl after the prayer gives the flower bouquet to Virgin Mary - Our Lady of Guadeloupe. As the ceremony proceeds, the parents place the tiara on the girl's head, marking the responsibilities that would come later in life.

The Reception: Once the Mass is over, there is a grand reception in the honor of the girl who is now referred as Quinceanera. Generally, the Mexican girls are forbidden to dance in public events before entering pubescence. However, after the coronation, the girl is accompanied for her first dance by her father or her brother or any family relation or friend, who plays the role of a chamberlain. Before the dance, the flat shoes of the girl are replaced by a pair of heeled sandals, marking the transition of a girl to a woman. This dance is often known as the First Waltz. After the dance, a traditional Las Mananitas is sung by a Mariachi band at the time of quinceanera cake cutting, marking the celebration of the birthday with its special meaning. Quinceanera cake is the major highlight of the reception. The cake is usually a huge one that has staircase leading from one tier to another. At the top of the cake sits the girl's gift - A pretty quinceanera doll! The cake cutting ceremony is an eye-catching ceremony when a customary toast is raised for the well-being of the girl. Las Mananitas is also played when the girl leaves for the church or exits after the ceremony.

Banquet: After the cake cutting ceremony, people settle down for the delicious Mexican foods. One of the famous dishes of a quinceanera banquet is Picadillo. This is a rich dish made of ground beef and is often used as fillings for tamales and tacos. Main course dishes include Cabrito which is a young roasted goat. Chocolate sauces like Mole is added to many dishes served along with meat. Some famous desserts prepared in the quinceanera tradition are Arroz (a rich rice pudding) and Pan de polvo (short bread cinnamon flavored cookies). Champagne is the drink to be served for toasts! Hard drinks like liquor, beer and wine are also served.

Quinceanera Traditions in Puerto Rico
The social rituals of quinceanera tradition of Puerto Rico follow in the same lines of commemorating the womanhood in a female. In the olden times, the girl on turning fifteen was taken away from her family to enlighten her about her history, culture and traditions. The returning of the girl from her journey of new learnings was celebrated as her "coming of age".

Nowadays, the celebration is marked by religious ceremonies in Catholic Churches followed by a grand party. After the mass, the girl offers her last quinceanera doll or her bouquet as an offering to the Virgin Mary, shedding her childhood image. Also, a cross necklace is presented to the girl which is a sign of her vow to God to remain chaste until marriage. The girl is also gifted Bible and prayer books that bear the words - "Today you devote yourself to the Virgin [Mary], ask that Her Life act as a model for your existence. May this beautiful and pious act be a sweet reminder that will last forever."

The most joyous event of this occasion commences after the Mass. The father daughter dance, which is much awaited by all in the family, is the spectacular show of this occasion. This is the moment when the father presents his daughter to the world as a young woman. Most of the customs are similar to that of the Mexican quinceanera. Nowadays, the music of cacophonist banda, cumbia and salsa also add to the much anticipated festivity to the event.

Cuban traditions are similar to that of the Mexican and Puerto Rico customs. However, the dance in Cuban quinceanera traditions is a delight to watch, where the girl is surrounded by sixteen couples dancing in a choreographed group dance. This dance is usually led by a dancer of her choice or her boyfriend. The most common and traditional quinceanera gifts in all these Latino dominated countries include the tiara, cross necklace, Bible, rosary, scepter, ceremony pillows and a quinceanera doll. Accessories for this occasion include flower bouquets, cake decoration and server sets, reception cards and guest favors. Nowadays, girls also have a choice of trendy quinceanera hairstyles.

One of the interesting facts about the quinceanera tradition is that every facet of this event adds a sensuous beauty to a pretty fifteen year old. Quinceanera tradition is a big day in the life of a hispanic girl, who awaits for this day with a lot of happiness and anticipation, as this time comes just once in a girl's lifetime. This tradition of hispanic people is 400 years old but still carries the charm of the rich hispanic heritage and reminds every hispanic individuals their family bonds and culture of their forefathers.