根据构成中国世界观基础的阴阳二分法，阴代表黑暗元素，阳代表生命和光明。九月初九是两个阳，故名重阳节。因此，重阳节也成为为死者家属扫墓的机会，再烧一些纸衣作为祭品。登高避疫的习俗由来已久，因此重阳节也称登高节。因此，观赏盛开的菊花成为这个节日的一项重要活动。这是重阳节必不可少的一道菜。在这一天，人们会吃重阳糕。重阳糕没有固定的制作方法，但超级重阳糕高达九层，看起来像一座塔。
The Double Ninth Festival
（Learn to spread China and Chinese cuIture in EngIish）
The ninth day of the ninth lunar month is the traditional Chong Yang Festival, or the Double Ninth Festival. The festival began as early as the Warring States Period. According to the yin-yang dichotomy（一分为二） that forms a basis to the Chinese world view,yin represents the elements of darkness and yang represents life and brightness. The number nine is regarded as yang. The ninth day of the ninth month is a double yang day, hence the name Chong Yang Festival. (Chong means "repeat" in Chinese. ) Also,as double ninth (Jiu Jiu) is pronounced the same as the word to signify "forever",the Chinese ancestors considered it an auspicious day worth celebration. The ninth month also heralds（预示，预兆） the approach of winter. It is a time when the living need warm clothing, and filial Chinese sons and daughters extend this to make the festival a time for providing winter clothes for their ancestors. The Double Ninth Festival, therefore,also becomes an occasion to visit the graves of dead family members. Clothes made of paper would then be burnt as offerings.
农历九月初九是传统的重阳节，或九九重阳节。这个节日早在战国时期就开始了。根据构成中国世界观基础的阴阳二分法，阴代表黑暗元素，阳代表生命和光明。数字九被认为是杨。九月初九是两个阳，故名重阳节。（“重”在汉语中的意思是“重复”）。此外，由于九九的发音与“久久”一词相同，中国祖先认为它是一个值得庆祝的吉祥日子。第九个月也预示着冬天的到来。这是一个需要添置保暖衣物的时候，孝顺的中国儿女们将这个节日扩展到为他们的祖先提供冬衣的时候。因此，重阳节也成为为死者家属扫墓的机会，再烧一些纸衣作为祭品。
On the Double Ninth Festival, people customarily climb mountains, appreciate chrysanthemum, drink chrysanthemum wine, and eat double-ninth cakes. The custom of ascending a height to avoid epidemics was passed down from long time ago,Therefore, the Double Ninth Festival is also called Height Ascending Festival.Ancient literary figures have left many poems depicting the activity. Even today,people still swarm（成群出行） to famous or little known mountains on this day.The Double Ninth Festival is also a time when chrysanthemum blooms. China boasts diversified species of chrysanthemum and people have loved them since ancient times. So appreciating the flourishing chrysanthemum becomes a key activity on this festival. Also, people prefer to drink chrysanthemum wine. Women used to stick such a flower into their hair or hang its branches on windows or doors to avoid evilness.
在重阳节，人们习惯爬山，欣赏菊花，喝菊花酒，吃重阳饼。登高避疫的习俗由来已久，因此重阳节也称登高节。古代文人留下了许多描写这一活动的诗。即使在今天，人们在这一天蜂拥到著名或鲜为人知的山脉。重阳节也是菊花盛开的日子。中国的菊花种类繁多，自古以来就受到人们的喜爱。因此，观赏盛开的菊花成为这个节日的一项重要活动。此外，人们更喜欢喝菊花酒。过去，女人们会把这种花插在头发上，或者把枝条挂在窗户或门上用以避邪。
Double- ninth cake is a steamed cake made from flour and sugar, stuffed with chestnuts, pine nuts and other types of nut, and crowned with a colorful paper flag stuck on the top. It is an indispensable dish on the Double Ninth Day. On this day,people will eat double- ninth gao (or cake). In Chinese, gao (cake) has the same pronunciation with gao (height). People do so just to hope progress in everything they are engaged in. There are no fixed ways for the double ninth cake, but supercakes will have as many as nine layers, looking like a tower.
重阳糕是用面粉和糖做成的蒸糕，里面塞满了栗子、松子和其他坚果，上面贴着彩色的纸旗。这是重阳节必不可少的一道菜。在这一天，人们会吃重阳糕。在汉语中糕与高发音相同。人们这样做只是希望他们所从事的每件事都能取得进展。重阳糕没有固定的制作方法，但超级重阳糕高达九层，看起来像一座塔。
The Double Ninth Festival is also a time for family get-togethers. It is an occasion to remember one's ancestors, the sacrifices they made and the hardships they underwent. Often, family outings are organized during which people search to renew their appreciation of nature and to reaffirm their love and concern for family members and close friends.
重阳节也是家庭聚会的日子。这是一个纪念祖先、
缅怀祖先所做的牺牲和所经历的艰辛的机会。通常，人们会组织家庭出游，在出游期间，人们寻求重新欣赏大自然，重申对家人和亲密朋友的爱和关心。
In 1989, the Chinese government decided the Double Ninth Festival as Seniors' Day. Since then, all government units, organizations and streets communities have organized autumn trips for those who have retired from their posts. At the waterside or on the mountains, the seniors will find themselves merged into nature. Younger generaion will bring elder ones to suburban areas or send gifts to them on this day.Old people are especially meant to improve their health by taking part in the activities on the day of the festival.
1989年，中国政府将重阳节定为老人节。从那时起，所有政府单位、组织和街道社区都为退休人员组织秋游活动。在水边或山上，老年人会发现自己融入了大自然。在这一天，年轻的一代会把年长的人带到郊区或给他们送礼物。老年人特别希望通过参加节日当天的活动来增进健康。
声明：文中的英文取材于孙立新主编、中国海洋大学出版社出版的《中国文化要览》。著作权属于原作者，本资料室借用相关英文材料，旨在促进中国文化的宣传和普及。如有侵权，联系删除。
