On the ninth day of the ninth month of the Chinese calendar falls the traditional Chinese Chongyang Festival, also known as the Double Ninth Festival. In Chinese folklore, the number nine is the largest number - it's a homonym for the Chinese word "jiu," which contains the auspicious meaning of "a long and healthy life".
According to tradition, the festival is also an opportunity to care for and appreciate the elderly. Mark, a foreigner in China, looks forward to the Festival which has a deep meaning.
The traditional food "Chongyang cake", also known as "flower cake", is a popular dessert named after the Festival. Mark brought his homemade "Chongyang cake" to a nursing home to experience the atmosphere of the festival with the elderly.
"I must ring my dad soon to see how he is," Mark said after his visit to the care home.
Comment