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According to ancient Chinese traditions, the Chong Yang Festival (重阳节), also known as the Double Ninth Festival, is a celebration of abundance, prosperity and longevity. This auspicious occasion, rooted in the teachings of the I Ching and other ancient texts, holds a deep significance in Imperial Feng Shui.

In 2023, the Chong Yang Festival commences on 23 October.

Significance of the Chong Yang Festival

Known as the Book of Changes or Zhou Yi, the I Ching (Yi Jing, 易经) is an ancient Chinese classic text familiar to many Chinese metaphysics enthusiasts. This ancient manual is a cornerstone of classical Chinese literature, depicting intricate systems of philosophical thoughts, mathematical structures, and divination practices. According to principles explained by this Chinese classic, the number “6” corresponds to Yin energy, whereas “9” is associated with its counterpart, Yang. Additionally, the number, “9” is associated with longevity, eternity and imperial authority in Chinese metaphysics.

The festival, which falls on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, is marked by the doubling of Yang energies, denoted by the character “chong” (重) in its name.

Historical Traditions of Chong Yang

The Chong Yang Festival is steeped in cultural traditions that have evolved over millennia, involving practices like viewing chrysanthemum trees in bloom, sipping chrysanthemum wine, and enjoying Chong Yang cakes. Another prominent tradition is ascending heights, emphasised by the Chinese idiom, “步步高升” — translating to “rise further with each step taken”. These auspicious customs invite good fortune and positivity, highlighting the significance of the initial first steps towards new heights in one’s career, business, and investment ventures.

Coinciding with the solar term, Qiufen (秋分), the Chong Yang Festival also celebrated a prosperous harvest season. Communities around dynastic China celebrated the harvest with various festivities, additionally conducting heavenly prayers in gratitude for the season’s bounty. These customs were vital to the season’s celebrations, and adhered to by the ruling elite, classes of high-ranking nobility and commoners alike.

Leading the imperial rites during the Chong Yang Festival, the emperor led a pilgrimage to Mount Tai, a sacred mountain believed to be closest to the Heavens — an indication that prayers offered there would be more readily answered. Upon reaching the mountain’s summit, the emperor performs a series of elaborate rites known as Feng Shan (封禪), offering prayers and tributes in gratitude to the Gods of Heaven and Earth.

According to records originating from the Eastern Han dynasty, the Feng Shan rites comprised two main rituals: building altars using the soil at the summit of Mount Tai to offer prayers to the God of Heaven, and clearing the land at the foot of the mountain to express gratitude to the God of Earth. These rites were designed to align the forces between Heaven, Earth, and Man and express gratitude for the year’s harvest.

An Inspired Collection for the Chong Yang Festival

A well-cited tenet in Imperial Feng Shui is “山管人丁，水管财” — translating to “Mountains govern relationships, water governs wealth”. Underscoring the pivotal role of mountains in shaping an individual’s destiny, the Imperial Harvest Red Phoenix Mountain collection draws from their revered significance in Chinese culture.

During the Qing dynasty, Imperial Feng Shui experts faced a significant challenge when siting important imperial structures. With the position of Mountain stars shifting every 20 years – a single Feng Shui period – reorienting and reconstructing imperial palaces became technically and economically demanding. This need for innovation drove the Qing dynasty masters to develop ingenious and practical solutions, a quality that Imperial Harvest maintains today.

Imperial Harvest Red Phoenix Mountain Collection

The Imperial Harvest ethos is exemplified in our unwavering commitment to design excellence and cutting-edge innovation. From this realm of exceptional luxury emerges a masterpiece that defines the brand ethos —the Imperial Harvest Red Phoenix Mountain.

This recent addition to our extensive collection of personal treasures embodies beauty, refined elegance, superior craftsmanship, and lasting prosperity. Every detail of this exquisite treasure is meticulously crafted to harmonise seamlessly with the upcoming Period 9, a result of years of thorough research, design, and craftsmanship.

The collection represents a rich tapestry, carefully woven by Master David, aligning with the aspirations of those in pursuit of abundant prosperity and remarkable achievement. At the heart of this exceptional collection lies untreated, vivid-pink Rose Quartz—a gem renowned for its rarity, captivating beauty, and enchanting rosy-pink hues, standing out among other precious stones.