What is Trung Cuu Festival and why does it fall on the 9th day of the 9th month?
Trung Cuu Festival, also called Trung Duong Festival or Chrysanthemum Festival, takes place on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month each year. The name "Trung Cuu" comes from the number 9 repeating twice in the day and the month. In ancient belief, the number 9 belongs to the yang element, the largest yang number in the basic counting system, so two 9s stacked together are considered the "peak of yang," associated with longevity and good fortune. For this reason, Trung Cuu Festival is also called the festival of the elderly, the festival of old people.
According to researcher Vu Kim Loc, Trung Cuu Festival is known in China, Japan, Vietnam, and some Asian countries. The specific origin of this festival is not entirely consistent across sources: some say it appeared during the Han dynasty (206 BCE to 220 CE), while others say during the Tang dynasty (618 to 907). What is more widely agreed upon is the symbolic meaning of the number 9 in Chinese culture, where 9 represents durability, endurance, and longevity.
In Japan, Trung Cuu Festival is also considered a festival of chrysanthemums, though the time of its introduction remains unclear. The connection between this festival and chrysanthemums is one of its most important identifying features across many cultures.
Why are chrysanthemums associated with Trung Cuu Festival?
Chrysanthemums bloom in autumn, coinciding with the time of Trung Cuu Festival. In East Asian culture, chrysanthemums symbolize autumn, noble character, and longevity. The image of "chrysanthemum wine" appears in many ancient records, showing that people long ago used chrysanthemums to infuse wine or prepare drinks meant to pray for peace and longevity on this occasion.
In Vietnam, the chrysanthemum symbol in ancient poetry is tied to the story of Dao Uyen Minh, the famous recluse who loved chrysanthemums. Researchers such as Luu Hong Son have analyzed the influence of this symbol in ancient Vietnamese and Korean poetry, showing that chrysanthemums are not only an autumn flower but also a metaphor for character and life ideals.
The custom of climbing high and other customs on Trung Cuu Festival
One of the common customs of Trung Cuu Festival is the custom of "climbing high," meaning climbing a mountain or going to a high place to enjoy the scenery and breathe the autumn air. This custom is tied to the belief that going high on the day of peak yang helps avoid bad luck and welcome good fortune. In addition, people long ago also had the custom of drinking chrysanthemum wine, viewing chrysanthemums, and in some traditions, pinning a sprig of zhuyu (a fragrant plant) in their hair or hanging it in front of the house to ward off evil spirits.
These customs show that Trung Cuu Festival is not only a weather-related holiday but also an occasion for people to immerse themselves in nature and commune with heaven and earth in the fresh autumn season.
Traces of Trung Cuu Festival in Vietnam during the Tran dynasty
According to researcher Vu Kim Loc, Trung Cuu Festival in Vietnam was known earliest during the Tran dynasty (1225 to 1400). During the resistance war against the Mongol Yuan, the famous general Tran Khac Chung once borrowed Trung Duong Festival and chrysanthemums to write poetry calling on people to support the king and help the country, instead of enjoying leisure. He had the pen name "Cuc An" and is considered a pioneer in Vietnamese chrysanthemum poetry. A quoted poem includes lines such as: "Trung Duong picks chrysanthemums to brew peach wine / Autumn comes, eating flowers, the elder retreats high / Two old men of elegance a thousand years past / Cuc An ends up carrying the high sky."
Zen master Huyen Quang, who lived during the Tran dynasty, also wrote poetry mentioning Trung Duong Festival through the image of chrysanthemums: "At year's end in the forest with no calendar / Seeing chrysanthemums bloom, one knows Trung Duong." The line shows that people long ago used blooming chrysanthemums as a sign to recognize the time of Trung Cuu Festival, especially when no calendar was available.
The book An Nam chi luoc by Le Tac also records Trung Cuu Festival during the Tran dynasty: "Those are the days when noble families drink wine, recite poetry, and stroll to view the scenery." This record shows that during the Tran dynasty, Trung Cuu Festival was already a cultural activity for the aristocratic class, tied to wine, poetry, and outings.
Trung Cuu Festival during the Nguyen dynasty through Dai Nam thuc luc
The book Dai Nam thuc luc records an event in the year Mau Tuat, the 19th year of the Minh Menh era (1838): "Trung Duong Festival. The king went to Ngự Bình Mountain." Earlier, King Minh Mang had told the Ministry of Rites: "The Trung Duong festival has existed since ancient times. Our country's people are simple and honest, and for festivals such as That Tich and Trung Duong, most do not enjoy outings. Now that the country is at peace, it is a time for enjoyment, so this year should be the beginning: on the 9th day of the 9th month, I will go to Ngự Bình Mountain, have the officials attend the banquet, and let the people enjoy outings to show shared joy."
According to the record, the hundred officials held a longevity ceremony, and after the ceremony they entered to attend the banquet. The king personally poured chrysanthemum wine and granted it to princes, royal relatives, and civil and military great ministers, each one cup. This event shows that by the Nguyen dynasty, Trung Cuu Festival had been noticed and restored by the court and organized as a national ceremonial occasion.
Summary table of recorded milestones of Trung Cuu Festival in Vietnam
| Period | Source | Main content |
|---|---|---|
| Tran dynasty (1225 to 1400) | Poetry of Tran Khac Chung, poetry of Zen master Huyen Quang, An Nam chi luoc | Nobles drank wine, recited poetry, strolled to view scenery; chrysanthemums were a sign to recognize Trung Duong season |
| Nguyen dynasty (1802 to 1945) | Dai Nam thuc luc, 19th year of Minh Menh era (1838) | The king went to Ngự Bình Mountain, granted chrysanthemum wine to princes and great ministers, organized a banquet |
| Contemporary | Chrysanthemum Festival at Ba Vang Pagoda | Revives the beauty of Trung Cuu Festival, held once every two years on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month |
Trung Cuu Festival today in Vietnam
Today, Trung Cuu Festival is no longer as widespread as Tet Nguyen Dan or Tet Doan Ngo. However, some religious institutions and communities still maintain commemorative activities. Ba Vang Pagoda has revived the beauty of Trung Cuu Festival under the name Chrysanthemum Festival at Ba Vang Pagoda, held once every two years on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month, to preserve a beauty in the nation's cultural tradition and honor the symbolic image of Truc Lam Buddhist culture.
The existence of these activities shows that Trung Cuu Festival still has a certain vitality in contemporary cultural life, though on a smaller scale than other major festivals.
Points that remain inconsistent among sources
There are some points on which researchers have not reached full agreement. First, the specific origin of Trung Cuu Festival still has differing opinions: some sources say from the Han dynasty, others from the Tang dynasty. Second, the time when Trung Cuu Festival was introduced to Vietnam has not been precisely determined; it can only be firmly stated that it existed during the Tran dynasty through literary and historical records. Third, the degree of popularity of this festival among the Vietnamese people across periods also needs more materials for a full assessment.
This article follows the approach of researcher Vu Kim Loc and the materials cited in the article on Bao Thanh Nien, while noting that this is a topic with many research gaps.
