Taoists and Buddhists believed that the souls of the dead imprisoned in hell were freed during the seventh month. From the last night of the sixth month, when the gates of hell were opened through the last night of the seventh month when they were closed again, the released souls were permitted to enjoy the feasts prepared for them. Spirits of the dead, most active at night, capable of assuming different forms, appearing as snakes, moths, birds, foxes, wolves and tigers or they can appear as beautiful men or women to seduce the living. When they possessed an individual by entering the body, they caused illness and mental disorders.

Ancestral spirits that were well fed and well cared for were benevolent and brought good fortune. Hungry ghosts with no descendants or those who were neglected were malevolent, causing droughts, floods and various misfortunes, including illness and death.

On the fourteenth day of the seventh month, families worshipped their ancestors and provided their spirits with food and new clothes at the altar with incense, candles, paper offerings and food. Following the ceremony, the family gathered for a feast. The next day the same offerings were performed again for the hungry ghosts wandering in the streets and alleys. The ceremony was performed outside the front gate in the belief that doing so could prevent the ghosts from entering the house.

The 9th day in nine lunar months is "the double ninth festival". In old times, six was an unlucky number while nine was a good number. The 9th in nine lunar months has two positive numbers so it is called "the double ninth festival" or "the double positive festival". Many ancient customs in "the double ninth festival" that continue today are climbing hills, drinking chrysanthemums wine and admiring the chrysanthemums.

On the festival day, the sky is usually clear and the wind blows softly. It is the season to climb and look over the hill. Thus climbing became the most important custom. It is also a time when the chrysanthemums are flourishing which forms another custom of appreciating chrysanthemums.

China is the homeland of the chrysanthemums, popular for ages. It is claimed that chrysanthemum wine prevents epidemic disease and prolongs life. It is fun to enjoy an evening with friends, drink wines and admire chrysanthemums, especially for poets that were inspired to write lengthy verses. The custom are still popular and nowadays, many provinces have recognized "the double ninth festival" as "The Olds Festival" as double ninth means long life, which embodies the nation's noble tradition of respecting the old.