Why do people climb mountains on the Double Ninth Festival
Climbing mountains on the Double Ninth Festival originates from the custom of "climbing high."Climbing high has been a traditional custom of the Double Ninth Festival since ancient times, and the festival is even called "Climbing High Festival." According to historical records, the custom of "climbing mountains for blessings" was already popular during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.
【The Origin of the Custom of Climbing High】
First, the ancient people's worship of mountains formed the custom of "climbing mountains for blessings." In the "Rites of Zhou" by Dai Sheng of the Western Han Dynasty, it is written: "Mountains, forests, rivers, valleys, and hills can produce clouds, bring rain and wind, and reveal strange phenomena; they are all called deities." Historical records show that the ancients had both reverence and worship for mountains, and the custom of "climbing mountains for blessings" had already become popular during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. In the Western Han Dynasty, there are records in "Chang'an Records" about people enjoying the scenery and sightseeing on the ninth day of the ninth month in the capital city.
Second, according to the laws of the movement of heaven, earth, sun, and moon, on the Double Ninth Day, the "clear air rises and the turbid air sinks," and the higher the terrain, the more the clear air gathers. Therefore, "climbing high on the Double Ninth Day to enjoy the clear air" became an important folk activity.
Third, the concept of "saying goodbye to greenery" (ciqing) in climbing high comes from the natural seasons. The Double Ninth Festival is a autumnal festival, and after this time, the weather gradually cools down, and plants begin to wither. The act of climbing mountains on the Double Ninth Festival to "say goodbye to greenery" corresponds to the ancient practice of "spring outing" in the third month of spring when people went to enjoy the greenery.
Fourth, the mythological story of climbing high to avoid disasters on the Double Ninth Festival takes place in the Eastern Han Dynasty. It is said that a Taoist master named Huan Jing from Runan (now southwest of Shangcai, Henan Province) believed that on this day, pestilence would descend, and people should leave their homes and go to high places as much as possible to stay safe. This absurd story of Huan Jing climbing high on the ninth day of the ninth month to avoid disaster is recorded in the mythological and strange tale "Continuation of Qi Xie Ji" by Wu Jun of the Southern Liang Dynasty.
What is the significance of climbing high on the Double Ninth Festival
First, to avoid disasters and evil spirits
Old people believed that on the day of the Double Ninth, the sky's energy descends while the earth's energy ascends, and the two energies meet, spreading impure energy. To avoid contact with impure energy, people must climb high mountains to avoid the evil energy of the Double Ninth. Additionally, the ninth month and ninth day fall in the middle of autumn, and the weather is clear and pleasant, making it very suitable for climbing high and looking into the distance.
Second, to pray for blessings and eliminate disasters
As the ancients worshipped mountain deities, they believed that mountain deities could protect people from disasters. Therefore, on the Double Ninth Day, which is considered "the peak of yang energy turning into yin," people climbed mountains to worship the deities for good fortune. The "Rites of Zhou" records: "Mountains, forests, rivers, valleys, and hills can produce clouds, bring rain and wind, and reveal strange phenomena; they are all called deities."
Old people believed that on the day of the Double Ninth, the sky's energy descends while the earth's energy ascends, and the two energies meet, spreading impure energy. To avoid contact with impure energy, people must climb high mountains to avoid the evil energy of the Double Ninth. Additionally, the ninth month and ninth day fall in the middle of autumn, and the weather is clear and pleasant, making it very suitable for climbing high and looking into the distance.
Second, to pray for blessings and eliminate disasters
As the ancients worshipped mountain deities, they believed that mountain deities could protect people from disasters. Therefore, on the Double Ninth Day, which is considered "the peak of yang energy turning into yin," people climbed mountains to worship the deities for good fortune. The "Rites of Zhou" records: "Mountains, forests, rivers, valleys, and hills can produce clouds, bring rain and wind, and reveal strange phenomena; they are all called deities."
Can people go out at night on the Double Ninth Festival?
It is allowed to go out at night on the Double Ninth Festival, and there are no taboos against going out at night.Although the Double Ninth Festival is one of China's traditional memorial festivals, it is not considered a "ghost festival." Although the Double Ninth Festival has the custom of ancestor worship, in ancient times, it was more inclined to be a festival for worshipping the heavens and the gods.
Therefore, the taboos and prohibitions of the Double Ninth Festival are relatively few, unlike other memorial festivals that require many rules and considerations. Moreover, many activities of the Double Ninth Festival require going out.
