subject: The Chongyang festival and its coustom [print this page] Just as other Chinese festivals have their own unique story, so does the Chongyang Festival. In 1982 the United Nations General Assembly raised at its 36 session Resolution 20 , the assembly recommended the ways in which the government of each country member designated a date to be the festival for senior citizens. the harmony in difference, the assembly respected the choices they made owing to different culture background of each individual country, thereby, each country has its own festival for senior citizens of national cultural personality. Our traditional Chongyang Festival itself contains the meanings of respecting for the senior citizens.In 1989, China designated the Ninth day of the Ninth month of the Lunar Calendar to be the Festival for the senior citizens. This day, also known as the Chongyang Festival, promotes respect, love and assistance towards the senior citizens. With the strong support of the Chinese government, the Committee will host The Second China International Chongyang Festival from Oct 14th 2010 to Oct 17th 2010.
Customs:
During the Chongyang Festival, Chongyang cake and chrysanthemum wine is the traditional cuisine. Climbing mountains and admiring beautiful chrysanthemums are interesting events that add to the festival creating a joyous atmosphere.
Just as other Chinese festivals have their own unique story, so does the Chongyang Festival. It is said that, during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25 - 220), a devil inhabited the Nu River which caused disease in the neighbouring people. The parent of a young man, named Hengjing, died because of the devil's magic. In order to rid the people of the devil, Hengjing went through extraordinary lengths to find an immortal to teach him swordsmanship in order to expel the devil.
As chrysanthemums blossom during the Chongyang Festival, it is a pleasure to admire the various chrysanthemums in parks. Grand chrysanthemum exhibitions are held in big parks that attract numerous visitors.You can ealisy get some chrysanthemums at a Taipei florist to express your best wishes, for the old and all be happy.
Chongyang Cake is a kind of steamed cake having two layers with nuts and jujube sandwiched between them. Since cake in Chinese is pronounced 'gao' meaning high, people consider climbing a high mountain to be the same as eating Chongyang cake. Also personal progress is thought to be made in the following days after eating the cake, for 'high' means that one makes improvements moving to a higher level.
Drinking Chrysanthemum wine is an indispensable part of Chongyang Festival. Chrysanthemums are regarded as a kind of flower having the function of an antitoxin and can drive the evil away. People often think that by drinking chrysanthemum wine, all kinds of diseases and disasters can be cured and prevented.
It is said that by ascending to a high mountain, diseases could be prevented. Many widely-known poems were created by poets in the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) describing the scene and feeling of mountain climbing. Now, family relatives or good friends gather to climb mountains to enjoy the beautiful scenery and share happiness of the holiday with each other.
The Chongyang festival and its coustom
By: flower
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