昨天是重阳节，英文叫Double Ninth Festival.

想必很多人都会把这天和“老人”联系在一起。但在古代，这一天和“老人”并没有联系，而是一个关于“秋天”的节日：出游赏秋、登高远眺、观赏菊花、遍插茱萸……

其实，还有很多传统的节日都被我们“误解”了：七夕不是情人节，清明不是扫墓日，端午本源与屈原无关，元旦原本也不是一月一号……

让我们补补课，去重新认识一下那些被我们“过错”的传统节日：

真正的中国情人节 : The Real Chinese Valentine' s Day

In the early days, young people were chaperoned in the streets in hopes of finding love. Matchmakers acted busily in hopes of pairing couples. The brightest lanterns were symbolic of good luck and hope.

古代的未婚少女平时足不出户，只有元宵节这天才被破例允许结伴出门看灯赏玩，不少多情男女借机物色心上人，擦出爱的火花。因此，元宵节这天也就造就了无数良缘美眷。

祭龙的日子：A Day about Dragon Worship

The Dragon Boat Festival has its origins in dragon worship. People thought the regular floods in rivers in May were because of the dragon’s manipulation, so on the fifth of May every year, they paid homage to the dragon to pray for a year of good weather and a plentiful harvest.

在古代，五月江河涨水，人们不能解释这种自然现象，就以为是龙在操纵，而农作物的丰收与否主要取决于天气，于是人们就把希望寄托在龙的身上，在五月初五来祭奠龙，祈祷一年风调雨顺和行舟安全。

万物生长之时：Everything Starts to Grow

On Qingming, people go on family outings, start the spring plowing, sing, and dance. Qingming is also a time when young couples traditionally start courting.

“万物生长此时，皆清净明洁，故谓之清明”，清明节本是盛大而欢乐的春季仪式，是《清明上河图》中绘就的盛世场景。

思念亲人：Time for Missing

Double Ninth may have originated as a day to drive away danger, and it is an occasion for hiking and chrysanthemum appreciation.

重阳，登高望远，观赏菊花、遍插茱萸，这个时刻用来思念亲人，遥望兄弟。