Next: 9 Sept 2027
Chrysanthemum Day
Chōyō, the ninth day of the ninth month, Japan's old festival of the chrysanthemum.
What happens
Chōyō no Sekku is one of the five seasonal festivals of the old Japanese court, kept on 9 September. Nine is a lucky number, and the double nine was a day to wish for long life. The chrysanthemum, which was believed to give it, is the flower of the day. Courtiers drank sake with petals floating in the cup. On the evening before, cotton was laid over the blooms to soak up the dew and scent, and used the next morning to wipe the face and body. The chrysanthemum is also the crest of the imperial family.
The flowers
Also part of it, and being written: Chrysanthemum × morifolium (The garden chrysanthemum, bred in Japan into many forms.).
Original text by the Phool desk, written with AI assistance. Background: "Gosekku" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from family to family and place to place. If we have something wrong, tell us.