The Double Ninth Festival
the ninth day of the ninth lunar month
The "Chong Yang Festival" is celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, and it is as such known as the Double Ninth Festival.
Origins: The festival began as early as the Warring States Period (475 - 221 BC). According to the yin/yang dichotomy that forms a basis to the Chinese world view, yin represents the elements of darkness and yang represents life and brightness. The number nine is regarded as yang. The ninth day of the ninth month is a double yang day, hence the name "Chong Yang Festival". (Chong means "repeat" in Chinese.) The ninth month also heralds the approach of winter. It is a time when the living need warm clothing, and filial Chinese sons and daughters extended this to make the festival a time for providing winter clothes for their ancestors. The Double Ninth Festival, therefore, also became an occasion to visit the graves of dead family members. Clothes made of paper would then be burnt as offerings.
Climbing mountains: On the Double Ninth Festival, people customarily climb mountains, appreciate chrysanthemum flowers, drink chrysanthemum wine, and eat double-ninth cakes. The Double Ninth Festival is also the "Old Men Festival". Old people are especially meant to improve their health by taking part in the activities on the day of the festival.
Family get-togethers: The Double Ninth Festival is also a time for family get-togethers. It is an occasion to remember one's ancestors, the sacrifices they made and the hardships they underwent. Often, family outings are organized during which people search to renew their appreciation of nature and to reaffirm their love and concern for family members and close friends.
注释：
1、关于中国的历法我会在新概念三册的课文中讲到的，其中一定会提到表示某个传统节日时，一定不能用英语单词中现成的月份，比如今天的重阳节就不说September 9。所以这里用的是the ninth day of the ninth lunar month。
2、The Warring States Period就是中国的战国时期了，春秋时期就是The Spring and Autumn Period。
3、yin和yang这两个词很多外国人是懂的，别以为他们不懂。在CSI的一集里，Gil和Catherine调查一桩用钝器（猜测是锤子）谋杀的案件，他们在比较死者头部的伤口和在现场发现的锤子的时候需要做模型，Gil冲着Catherine说："I've got the yang, and you've got the yin."
4、Filial这个单词我会在课堂说提到，中国有句话叫"百善孝为先，"英语可以粗略的翻译成Among all the virtues, filial piety is the best.
5、Chrysanthemum是菊花。
6、The Old Men Festival是老人节，今天我住的楼下一家小学校就举行了庆重阳和老人节的活动。

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