amaotonovel Chapter 239: Double Ninth Festival (1)
Chapter 239: Double Ninth Festival (1)
Looking at the ever-increasing traffic figures on my account, I couldn't help but feel an indescribable joy and sense of accomplishment. Thinking about the opportunity to finally share the traditional crafts footage I painstakingly filmed some time ago, I became even more excited.
It's October, the golden autumn season, and the Double Ninth Festival is just around the corner. To present a vibrant and culturally rich Double Ninth Festival special for our readers, I eagerly read through various relevant materials and devoted myself to crafting and writing a detailed article about the festival.
Starting with the origins of this ancient festival, I delve into the profound historical heritage behind it; moving on to a series of traditional customs like ascending heights to gaze into the distance, admiring chrysanthemums and inserting dogwood branches, and analyzing the beautiful wishes and unique charm they carry. Finally, of course, I can't overlook the auspicious meaning behind the sweet and delicious Chongyang cake. After a thorough analysis, I've clearly laid out all the key points.
With everything ready, the next step was to find a perfect location to record the video. After much searching, I finally settled on an ancient garden. As I entered, I was instantly captivated by the dazzling sea of chrysanthemums. The vibrant colors of the blossoms, vying for attention, transformed the garden into a breathtaking painting.
I carefully set up my camera, adjusting the angle so that the lens could first slowly sweep across the vibrant autumn scenery of the garden. As melodious background music played, I faced the camera with a smile, calmly and unhurriedly, and said, "Dear Empire netizens, the annual Double Ninth Festival is almost here! This important festival, passed down through the millennia of Chinese culture, is both ancient and full of poetic charm!" Then, I gently raised the vibrant, juicy dogwood branch in my hand and explained its mysterious symbolic significance, which has long warded off evil and warded off disasters.
Then, I ascended to a higher point in the garden and gazed out across the vast, rolling hills. Pointing toward the vast, distant mountains, I eloquently described the open-mindedness and boundless yearning for a better life that the ancients shared when they ascended on Double Ninth Festival.
The Double Ninth Festival, a traditional festival with a long and profound history in my country, dates back to the pre-Qin period. This important information is recorded in detail in the classic text "Lüshi Chunqiu," where it was known as "Double Ninth" or "Double Yang." The origin of this name can be traced back to the ancient "Book of Changes." In the "Book of Changes," the yang line is defined as the number nine. On the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, the sun and moon both exhibit a peak of yang energy, hence the meaningful name "Double Ninth Festival."
The origins of the Double Ninth Festival are inextricably linked to ancient practices of offering sacrifices to heaven and ancestors during harvest season. In ancient times, September was the ideal time for the harvest, and people, after a year of hard work, welcomed the harvest with joy. Out of gratitude for the gifts of nature and to express gratitude for the protection of the gods, heaven, and ancestors, people would often choose this special time to hold grand ceremonies to worship the emperor of heaven and ancestors. Over time, these respectful and devout sacrificial activities gradually evolved into the original form of the Double Ninth Festival we know today.
By the Han Dynasty, the various customs and practices of the Double Ninth Festival had been widely spread and promoted throughout the vast land of China, with almost every household knowing about and participating in them. During the Wei and Jin Dynasties, the Double Ninth Festival became even more popular among talented scholars and writers, who wrote poems and lyrics in beautiful and moving words to express their unique insights and feelings about the festival, thus making the Double Ninth Festival shine even more brilliantly on the cultural level.
Among the many legends associated with the Double Ninth Festival, the most widely known is undoubtedly the remarkable story of "Huan Jing's Battle against the Plague Demon." Legend has it that during the Eastern Han Dynasty, a terrible plague suddenly struck a region called the Ru River, sweeping across the land like a demon. Countless innocent people suffered greatly, and their lives were made miserable.
At this moment, a passionate young man named Huan Jing stepped forward. By chance, he received guidance from an immortal and embarked on the arduous journey of cultivating immortality. After years of unremitting efforts and assiduous practice, Huan Jing finally achieved success and mastered the magical immortal arts.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. Huan Jing, knowing this day was crucial for defeating the plague, resolutely led his plague-stricken fellow villagers to the summit of a high mountain to escape the disease. Sword in hand, Huan Jing chanted aloud, unleashing his powerful magic to engage the ferocious plague demon in a thrilling, life-or-death battle.
After a fierce battle, Huan Jing, with his extraordinary courage and superb magic, finally succeeded in completely eliminating the plague demon! This victory restored the vitality and peace of the Ru River area, and Huan Jing's heroic deeds have been passed down from generation to generation and have been passed down to this day.
Because of this, every year on the Double Ninth Festival (9th day of the 9th lunar month), people would emulate Huan Jing's example of leading his fellow villagers to climb mountains to avoid the plague, and this gradually evolved into a series of rich and colorful folk activities. Naturally, climbing mountains became the most important activity of the Double Ninth Festival. Ancient people firmly believed that climbing high could help them avoid disasters and pray for blessings. Therefore, every Double Ninth Festival, men, women, and children would call on friends and enthusiastically climb mountains and steep cliffs, admiring the beautiful autumn scenery while making beautiful wishes.
In addition to climbing, inserting dogwood branches and drinking chrysanthemum wine are also essential Double Ninth Festival traditions. Ancient Chinese believed that dogwood possessed the mysterious power to ward off evil and disaster, and therefore people often wore it on their bodies or inserted it into their hair to protect themselves from harm. Chrysanthemum wine, on the other hand, symbolizes health and longevity. Enjoying a glass of this fragrant chrysanthemum wine during the Double Ninth Festival not only captures the festive atmosphere but also reflects people's yearning and pursuit for a better life.
In short, the Double Ninth Festival, a traditional festival with a long history and profound cultural heritage, not only greatly enriches our spiritual and cultural life with its rich connotations and colorful folk activities, but also vividly embodies the fine traditional culture of the Chinese nation. Like bright pearls, they shine through the ages, constantly passing on our ancient ancestors' reverence for nature and their beautiful wishes for happiness, health, and longevity.
After saying this, I slowly stood up and walked down the small, delicate hill with light steps. The breeze caressed my face, bringing a hint of coolness and the fragrance of flowers.
As I set foot on that familiar land, my vision suddenly opened up—a brilliant, picturesque sea of chrysanthemums appeared before me! They were like a layer of gorgeous brocade spread across the earth, or like clouds drifting across the sky, a truly breathtaking beauty.
I walked cautiously to the center of the sea of flowers, afraid to disturb the delicate blossoms. Then, I gently raised my camera and pointed it steadily at this enchanting sea of chrysanthemums. Through the lens, I could clearly see each chrysanthemum in bloom, each in its own vibrant glory. Some were pure white, like graceful fairies; some were golden, like glittering golden cups; and still others were as pink as clouds, like shy and charming young girls...
At this moment, I can almost hear the exclamations and praises from netizens on the other side of the screen. They must also be shocked by this magnificent sea of flowers, immersed in this wonderful beauty bestowed upon us by nature.