The Double Ninth Festival 重阳节

农历九月初九是重阳节。这是一个很古老的节日，距今已有一千七百多年的历史。
The Double Ninth Festival falls on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. It is a very old festival and has a history of more than 1,700 years.
在中国数字中，一、三、五、七、九为阳数，二、四、六、八为阴数。因此，九月初九被称作重阳或重九。中国古代，重阳节是一个重要的节日，这一天要举行各种活动，如：登高、赏菊、插茱萸、吃重阳糕等。
Among Chinese numbers, the numbers one, three, five, seven and nine are thought to be yang (Chinese for masculine or positive) and two, four, six and eight are thought to be yin (Chinese for feminine or negative). Thus, the ninth day of the ninth lunar month is called the Double Yang or Double Ninth. As an important festival in ancient China, the Double Ninth Festival was celebrated by doing various activities, such as climbing a mountain, appreciating chrysanthemums, wearing cornel and eating double ninth cakes.
登高是重阳节的主要习俗。古人认为，九九重阳，登高可以避祸免灾。后来，重阳节登高爬山，逐渐演变成了人们放松心情、锻炼身体的体育和旅游活动。
Climbing a mountain is a major custom on the Double Ninth Festival. Ancient people thought climbing a mountain on this day could help them avoid misfortune and prevent disasters, and it gradually evolved into a custom for relaxation, hike and exercise.
插茱萸和赏菊也是重阳节的传统习俗。茱萸是一种植物，果实可以吃，茎、叶都是药材。菊花在九月盛开，有“长寿花”的美称。为了避免瘟疫，驱除恶气，重阳节这天，人们就把茱萸和菊花插戴在身上，还要观赏菊花，饮菊花茶和菊花酒。
It is also the traditional customs to wear cornel and appreciate chrysanthemums. Cornel is a kind of plant with edible fruit and medicinal stem and leaves. Chrysanthemums bloom in September. They enjoy the reputation of a "flower of longevity". To prevent plague and drive off foul smells, people wear cornel and chrysanthemum and drink tea and wine made from chrysanthemum on the Double Ninth Festival.
现在过重阳节，已经见不到插茱萸等风俗了，但是很多人仍然会在这一天登高赏菊，观赏秋天的美景。近年来，这个古老的节日又增加了新的内容，成为一年一度的“敬老节”。每当佳节来临，人们都要举办各种敬老活动，祝愿老年人步步登高，健康长寿。
One can no longer see anyone wearing cornel on the Double Ninth Festival now, but many people still climb a mountain to appreciate chrysanthemums and appreciate the beautiful scenery in autumn. A few years ago, new life was added into this old festival, by designating this day as Senior's Day. People hold various activities in honor of senior citizens, wishing them good health and a long life.

另外，重阳糕是重阳节的传统食品。重阳糕是一种用面粉做的食品，可以加枣、银杏、松子、杏仁做成甜的，也可以加肉做成咸的，讲究的还要做成九层，再在上面做两只小羊，以谐“重阳（羊）”之音。
Additionally, double ninth cake is a traditional food to eat during the Double Ninth Festival. Made of flour, the double ninth cake can be sweet if jujube, ginkgo, pine nuts and apricot kernel are added, or salty if meat is added. Some exquisite cakes are made into nine layers with a pattern of two sheep above, which is homophonic with "double ninth" in Chinese.