Chinese Valentine's Day: Qixi Festival and the Legend of Zhinu and Niulang

Qixi Festival, also known as Chinese Valentine's Day or the Double Seventh Festival, is observed on the seventh day of the seventh lunar calendar month in the traditional Chinese calendar. This year, Qixi Festival falls on August 22nd Tuesday.

This ancient celebration carries a romantic tale from the Han dynasty about two star-crossed lovers named Zhinu and Niulang. Zhinu, the daughter of the Heavenly Queen Mother and Jade Emperor, is a celestial weaver girl while Niulang is an earthly cowherd who was orphaned at a young age.

Their love story began with a chance encounter that led to an immediate connection between Zhinu and Niulang. Their affection broke heavenly rules, causing great displeasure among Zhinu's parents, which forced her into exile on Earth where she became a humble cowgirl. On the other hand, Niulang was tragically separated from his parents.

One day, Zhinu descended to Earth and found Niulang agn. They were married and lived happily together with their two children until Zhinu's mother, infuriated by their union, ordered them back to heaven. She took her golden hrpin and created a river of starscommonly known as the Milky Waythat divided Zhinu from Niulang on Earth.

To reunite, the couple found solace in an annual reunion facilitated by magpies that form a bridge across the Milky Way, allowing Zhinu and Niulang to meet under the moonlight. Their profound love moved even their celestial mother, who eventually allowed them to reunite once every year on this special day.

In modern times, Qixi Festival retns many of its traditional customs while also adopting new practices similar to those in Western cultures during Valentine's Day. Women often dress up in Hanfu, a traditional Chinese attire featuring a long robe with flowing sleeves and an obi-style belt at the wst. They prepare tables of offerings that include tea, wine, flowers, fruits, or even gifts like rose bouquets, rose bears, or jewelry.

The essence of Qixi Festival remns largely unchangedcelebrating love, wishing for wisdom from the couple's story Zhinu and Niulang, hoping to find a loving partner, or wishing for fertility among married women. But today, modern couples prefer romantic dates, intimate dinners, and exchanging gifts instead of traditional rituals.

The Qixi Festival offers us a chance to connect with our cultural heritage while also being an opportunity to express love to our partners on this special day.
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