Why do people climb heights on the Double Ninth Festival?
Climbing heights on the Double Ninth Festival is a traditional custom that has been popular since ancient times, which is why the festival is also called the "Climbing Festival." This tradition originates from the climate characteristics at that time and the ancient people's reverence for mountains. "Climbing to bid farewell to greenery" also comes from the natural seasonal changes. The tradition of "climbing to bid farewell to greenery" on the Double Ninth Festival corresponds with the ancient practice of "spring outing to enjoy the greenery" during the third month of spring. The custom of "climbing to pray for blessings" was already widespread during the Spring and Autumn as well as Warring States periods. The places for climbing were not strictly defined, generally including climbing mountains, tall buildings, or elevated platforms. The origin of the climbing custom can be roughly divided into four aspects: first, it stems from the ancient people's reverence for mountains; second, it comes from the climate where "clear air rises and turbid air sinks"; third, it comes from the idea of "climbing to bid farewell to greenery"; fourth, it originates from a ridiculous legend, "Huan Jing climbed the mountain to avoid disaster." First, the ancient people's reverence for mountains led to the custom of "climbing to pray for blessings." According to "The Book of Rites - The Rituals," it is recorded: "Mountains, forests, rivers, valleys, hills, and mounds, which can produce clouds, bring rain and wind, and reveal strange phenomena, are all called gods." Ancient texts show that people had both fear and reverence for mountains, and the custom of "climbing to pray 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 Zhi" about people enjoying scenery and sightseeing on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month in the capital city. Second, according to the laws of the movement of heaven, earth, sun, and moon, the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, known as the Double Ninth Festival, is a time when "clear air rises and turbid air sinks." The higher the terrain, the more clear air accumulates, so "climbing high to enjoy the clear air" became an important folk custom that people eagerly participated in. Third, the concept of "climbing to bid farewell to greenery" comes from the natural seasons. The Double Ninth Festival is a autumnal festival, and after this festival, the weather gradually cools down, and plants begin to wither. Climbing mountains on the Double Ninth Festival to "bid farewell to greenery" corresponds with the ancient practice of "spring outings to enjoy greenery" during the third month of spring. Fourth, the mythological story of climbing high to avoid disasters on the Double Ninth Festival began in the Eastern Han Dynasty. It is said that a Taoist master named Huan Jing from Henan believed that on this day, pestilence would descend, and people needed to leave their homes and go to high places as much as possible to stay safe. The absurd story of Huan Jing climbing the mountain to avoid disaster is mentioned in the mythological and supernatural novel "Continuation of the Records of Qi Xie" by Wu Jun of the Southern Liang Dynasty.Do you want to know your birth elements? Want to find out where your golden wedding match is? Click on the 【Premium Calculation】 below to calculate your birth elements and fortune!
