Speaking of respecting the elderly, the first Chinese festival that comes to your mind might be the Chongyang Festival. It is also known as the Double
Ninth
Festival.
One of the main traditions during the festival
is
mountain climbing. People climb up mountains with their families and friends
to stand
high and see far. This has been a Chinese tradition since old times.
The festival is also a time to drink chrysanthemum wine(菊花酒),eat Chongyang cakes and wear corns(茱萸). The chrysanthemum wine is not only a delicious drink but also believed to be good for
health
. People also believe that corns can help them
drive/to drive
out the bad spirits and bring good luck.
But the Chongyang Festival is not just a time for climbing mountains and
enjoying
the natural beauty of autumn. More importantly, it is a time to show respect for the elderly.
As the number 9
sounds
the same as "long" in Chinese,the festival shows people's wish for all the elderly to live a long and healthy life. So the day is also seen as a chance to care for and express(表达)thanks to the elderly. Families usually come together and show respect and love for the elder
relatives
. People may also visit
their
grandparents or elder neighbours,bringing gifts and sharing meals.
The Chongyang Festival is of great importance in Chinese
traditional
culture. It reminds us not only the beauty of autumn but also the value of the elderly.