The 9th day of September in the lunar calendar is the Chinese Chong YangFestival and a happy occasion in autumn. According to the traditional theory ofYin and Yang, both the 9th month and the 9th day of the month belong toYang, which means positive and masculine, and Chong means double, thus it iscalled Chong Yang.

People often gather for a party, appreciate chrysanthemums, pin the leavesof Cornus on clothes. And the custom of climbing mountains and eating a specialcake also features the day.

This custom of climbing mountains can be dated back as early as West HanDynasty. Some old travel notes have it that, people climbed to mountain peaksnot only for beautiful scenes and poetic inspiration, but also the avoidance ofevil spirits and disasters.

This practice came from an ancient folktale. It is said long ago thereappeared a devil of plague in the Ruhe River. People lay down and died whereverit came up. A boy named Heng Jing swore to help his neighbors and fellow peopleto get rid of it. He visited many famous mountains to seek a powerful master.Finally an old Taoist took him in and taught him how to defeat the devil. HengJing put his whole heart into study and practice.

One day, the Taoist called him up and said, ‘Heng Jing, tomorrow is the 9thday of September and the devil will reappear. It is time for you to go home andstop the devil.‘ The master also gave him a pack of leaves of Cornus and a jarof liquor soaked with chrysanthemums. Riding a crane, Heng Jing went a greatdistance back home in a day. As instructed by his master, he told his fellowvillagers to climb up the nearby mountain with a Cornus leaf pinned on theirclothes and a glass of chrysanthemum liquor in hand.

When the devil of plague came up from under the water, it got dizzy by thescent of Cornus and chrysanthemums. Heng Jing fought with his master‘s sword andkilled the devil in a few rounds. People held parties, drank chrysanthemumliquor to celebrate it. And the next year, the custom of mountain climbingbecame popular among the villagers.

In the golden September, chrysanthemum blooms, reminding people of thefolktale. And later a special cake with dates, chestnuts and meat was made toadd more festivity to the special day.手抄報版面設計邊框圖案內容