Chung Yeung (or Double Ninth): A Myth That Lives On

Why We Recommend it

Chung Yeung Festival, also known as Double Ninth Festival, is a day of hiking to the high places, ancestor worship and memorial.

Description

Chung Yeung Festival customarily falls on the ninth day of the ninth month in the lunar calendar, hence Double Ninth Festival. It has its roots in centuries-old myths, in one of which a man called Huan Jing consulted a divine deity about an epidermic that regularly kills his fellow villagers. And was advised to take everyone both young and old with him to a nearby mountain on the particular date of Chung Yeung. He then returned to the village with the green dragon sword presented to him by the deity and killed the demon spreading the epidemic.

Nowadays people celebrate Chung Yeung in Hong Kong by hiking to the high points of the city, flying kites and eating special cakes called “ko”. People also congregate in cemeteries and graveyards to perform grave-sweeping and pay respects.

Details

When: 7 Oct 2019 - 7 Oct 2019 Where: Various