This year Chongyang Festival, or Double Ninth Festival, falls on October 25. The holiday, celebrated as a ritual to worship ancestors and pray for longevity, is observed on the ninth day of the ninth month of the lunar Chinese calendar.
An exhibition marking the ancient Chinese festival opened on Friday (October 23) at the Shanghai Federation of Literary and Art Circles (SFLAC) in Shanghai. A total of 258 pieces of cultural artifacts are on display for the following week. Visitors can also experience different customs related to the festival at the venue.
A Chongyang cake on display at the Shanghai Federation of Literary and Art Circles (SFLAC) in Shanghai. /ThePaper
Paper-cuts on display at the Shanghai Federation of Literary and Art Circles (SFLAC) in Shanghai. /ThePaper
"The exhibition highlights traditional Chinese culture. We've invited numerous craftsmen to showcase traditional artistry related to the Chongyang festival to the visitors. People can learn how to make Chongyang cakes, and flower arrangements," said Ni Lixun, secretary-general of the Shanghai Society for the Study of Folk Literature and Art.
In Chinese folklore, the number nine is the biggest single digit - it's a homonym of the Chinese word jiu, which represents a long and healthy life. Traditions involved during this day include mountain hiking, drinking chrysanthemum wine and inserting Zhuyu and stick chrysanthemum.
The exhibition runs until October 30.