用英语讲好中国故事 | 重阳节

摘要：Chongyang Festival, also called "Double Ninth Festival", is a traditional Chinese festival. It falls on the 9th day of the 9th lun

Chongyang Festival, also called "Double Ninth Festival", is a traditional Chinese festival. It falls on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month. In ancient times, "nine" was considered a "yang number" (positive number). Since the 9th day of the 9th month has two "nines", it’s named "Chongyang" (Double Yang). Unlike the lively Spring Festival, this festival holds respect for elders and wishes for longevity.
重阳节，也叫“重九节”，是中国传统节日，在每年农历九月初九。“九”在古人眼里是“阳数”，九月初九有两个“九”，所以叫“重阳”。这个节日不像春节那样热闹，却藏着对长辈的尊敬和对长久的祝福。

Why did ancient people value Chongyang Festival? Besides the special "double nine" number, it’s also because the weather is clear and crisp in autumn—perfect for getting close to nature. Also, ancient people thought "nine" meant "longevity", so Chongyang Festival also hides the wish of "may family be safe and live long".

为啥古人重视重阳节？除了“双九”的特别数字，还因为这时秋高气爽，正是亲近自然的好时候。而且古人认为“九”有“长久”的意思，所以重阳节也暗含着“愿家人平安长久”的心愿。

Chongyang Festival’s customs are all filled with autumn’s warmth and good hopes for life.
重阳节的习俗，每一个都带着秋天的温柔和对生活的美好期待。

Climbing heights

登高

This is the most classic custom of Chongyang Festival. Families or friends climb mountains together. Standing on the top, looking at the distant scenery and feeling the autumn wind, you can not only exercise but also relax your mind. Ancient people also said "climbing heights can avoid disasters"—in fact, it’s a chance to stretch your body and mind in autumn.

这是重阳节最经典的习俗。一家人或和朋友一起爬山，站在山顶看远处的风景，吹着秋风，既能锻炼身体，又能让人心情开阔。古人还说“登高可以避灾”，其实是借爬山的机会，让大家在秋天里舒展身心。

Wearing cornel

插茱萸

Cornel is a fragrant plant. Ancient people would stick cornel branches on doorways or make sachets with cornel to carry on their bodies during Chongyang Festival. They believed the fragrance of cornel could "ward off evil and disasters" and protect family safety. Now fewer people wear cornel, but the "guardian" wish in this custom has been passed down.

茱萸是一种有香味的植物，古人会在重阳节把茱萸枝插在门口，或做成香囊带在身上。他们相信茱萸的香味能“驱邪避灾”，保护家人平安。现在虽然插茱萸的人少了，但这个习俗里的“守护”心意一直流传着。

Admiring chrysanthemums and drinking chrysanthemum wine

赏菊饮菊酒

Chongyang Festival is when chrysanthemums are in full bloom—bright and colorful in parks and small yards. People stop to admire them and make wine with chrysanthemums. It’s said drinking chrysanthemum wine can make the body comfortable, resist autumn’s cold, and also implies the wish for "health and longevity".

重阳节正是菊花盛放的时候，公园、小院里的菊花一片明艳。人们会停下来赏菊，还会用菊花泡酒喝。据说喝菊酒能让人身体舒服，抵御秋天的凉意，也暗含着“健康长久”的祝福。

Eating Chongyang cake

吃重阳糕

Chongyang cake is made of glutinous rice, red dates and nuts. It’s round in shape, and some even have a small flag inserted on top. "Cake" (gao) has the same pronunciation as "high" (gao) in Chinese. Eating Chongyang cake is like "climbing heights", meaning "making steady progress". Its round shape also symbolizes "reunion and happiness", which is very popular.

重阳糕是用糯米、红枣、坚果做的糕点，形状圆圆的，有的还会插一面小旗子。“糕”和“高”谐音，吃重阳糕就像“登高”一样，寓意“步步高升”；圆圆的样子也象征着“团圆美满”，很受大家喜欢。

In fact, the core of Chongyang Festival is never complicated ceremonies, but "cherishing"—cherishing the time with elders, cherishing autumn’s beautiful scenery, and cherishing every wish for safety and longevity in life. Just like the chrysanthemums in the autumn wind, they are not showy but warm, quietly passing on love for family and life.

其实重阳节的核心，从来不是复杂的仪式，而是“珍惜”——珍惜和长辈相处的时光，珍惜秋天的好风景，珍惜生活里每一份平安长久的心愿。就像秋风里的菊花，不张扬却温暖，默默传递着对家人、对生活的爱。

重点单词短语及释义

1. longevity [lɒnˈdʒevəti]：n. 长寿（活得长久的状态）

2. cornel [ˈkɔːnl]：n. 茱萸（重阳节常用的芳香植物）

3. chrysanthemum [krɪˈsænθəməm]：n. 菊花（秋天开放的花卉）

4. glutinous [ˈɡluːtənəs]：adj. 黏的（如糯米的质地）

5. filial piety [ˌfɪliəl ˈpaɪəti]：n. 孝心（对长辈的尊敬和照顾）

6. sachet [ˈsæʃeɪ]：n. 香囊（装香料的小袋子）

7. crisp [krɪsp]：adj. 清爽的（形容秋天的天气）

重点短语

1.be filled with：充满（包含很多某种情感或事物）

2. ward off：抵御（挡住不好的东西，如灾害）