The Qixi Festival, also known as the Double Seventh Festival, is one of China’s most romantic traditional holidays, celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. Often referred to as “Chinese Valentine’s Day,” it is rooted in a poignant love story from Chinese mythology and has evolved into a celebration of love and devotion.

Mythological Origins: The Legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl

The Qixi Festival originates from the ancient Chinese folktale of Niulang (the cowherd) and Zhinü (the weaver girl), a story recorded as early as the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) in texts like the Classic of Poetry (Shijing). The legend tells of a forbidden love between a mortal cowherd, Niulang, and a celestial weaver, Zhinü, who was a daughter of the Jade Emperor, the ruler of heaven.

The Story

• Meeting and Love: Niulang, a kind-hearted but poor cowherd, lived with his loyal ox, which was secretly a banished deity. The ox guided Niulang to a lake where Zhinü and other heavenly maidens were bathing. With the ox’s help, Niulang took Zhinü’s clothes, and when she emerged to retrieve them, they met and fell deeply in love. They married and lived happily on earth, raising two children.
• Separation: The Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother of the West disapproved of a celestial being marrying a mortal. Zhinü was forcibly taken back to heaven, and a vast river—the Milky Way—was created to separate the lovers. Niulang, heartbroken, was aided by magpies, who formed a bridge across the Milky Way to reunite the couple.
• Annual Reunion: Moved by their devotion, the Jade Emperor allowed Niulang and Zhinü to meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, when magpies form a bridge for their reunion. This day became the Qixi Festival.

Symbolism

The story symbolizes enduring love and the overcoming of obstacles, with the Milky Way representing the challenges that separate lovers and the magpie bridge symbolizing hope and unity. The stars Altair (representing Niulang) and Vega (representing Zhinü), separated by the Milky Way, are associated with the festival in Chinese astronomy.

Historical Development

The Qixi Festival’s origins can be traced to several cultural and historical influences:

• Astronomical Roots: The festival is tied to the observation of the stars Altair and Vega, prominent in the summer sky. Ancient Chinese astronomers noted their positions, and the myth likely grew from these celestial observations.
• Han Dynasty Traditions: By the Han Dynasty, the festival was linked to rituals for young women, who prayed to Zhinü, a skilled weaver, for wisdom, dexterity, and a happy marriage. Activities included threading needles under moonlight to demonstrate skill and making offerings to the stars.
• Cultural Evolution: During the Tang (618–907 CE) and Song (960–1279 CE) Dynasties, Qixi became more elaborate, with poetry, music, and romantic celebrations. It gained prominence as a festival for women to showcase their talents and pray for love, often under the patronage of the imperial court.
• Literary Influence: The legend inspired countless poems, stories, and operas, cementing its place in Chinese culture. Tang poets like Du Mu and Song Dynasty writers romanticized the tale, spreading its popularity.

Traditional Customs and Practices

Historically, Qixi was celebrated with customs reflecting its romantic and cultural significance:

• Prayers to Zhinü: Young women offered fruits, flowers, and incense to Zhinü, praying for skillful hands and a loving marriage.
• Needle-Threading Contests: Women competed to thread needles by moonlight, symbolizing dexterity and invoking Zhinü’s blessings.
• Offerings to the Magpie Bridge: People placed offerings to honor the magpies that formed the bridge for the lovers’ reunion.
• Stargazing: Couples and families gazed at the stars, particularly Altair and Vega, to celebrate the lovers’ reunion.

Modern Celebrations

Today, Qixi is celebrated as China’s equivalent of Valentine’s Day, with couples exchanging gifts, dining out, and expressing their love. While some traditional practices like needle-threading have faded, the romantic essence of the festival remains strong, fueled by commercialization and media. In 2015, Qixi was recognized as part of China’s intangible cultural heritage, preserving its historical and cultural significance.

The Qixi Festival, rooted in the timeless tale of Niulang and Zhinü, reflects China’s deep appreciation for love, loyalty, and the beauty of human connection. From its mythological and astronomical origins to its evolution into a modern celebration of romance, Qixi continues to captivate hearts, blending ancient traditions with contemporary expressions of love.