Today is Chinese Valentine's Day, also known as Qixi Festival, Double Seven Festival, the Night of Sevens, or the Magpie Festival. While it's not a tradition I personally celebrate, it holds great significance for couples in Chinese culture. Interestingly, even my husband forgot about it this year.
Chinese Valentine's Day is observed on the 7th day of the 7th month of the Lunar Calendar. This festival has been celebrated since the Han Dynasty and has roots in a love story between Zhinu and Niulang.
Zhinu, the Weaving Maid, was the seventh daughter of the Emperor of Heaven. She possessed incredible skills in weaving clouds and rainbows to beautify the world. Niulang, on the other hand, was a poor and good-looking orphaned boy who worked as a cowherd. He owned an old ox, which was actually an immortal being punished and transformed into an ox.
The ox informed the cowherd that if he wanted to get married, he should go to the brook where his wish would come true. Following the ox's advice, the cowherd went to the brook and saw Zhinu and her sisters bathing. Enchanted by Zhinu, he secretly took her clothing and demanded that she become his wife in exchange for its return. Zhinu agreed, and they got married, eventually having two children.
However, when the Emperor noticed the absence of his daughter, he wanted her to return to heaven. Zhinu's grandmother was tasked with finding her and bringing her back. As they were being taken back to heaven, the cowherd wore the ox hide, carried their children in bamboo baskets, and chased after them in the sky.
Their forbidden love was not tolerated by the Emperor, so Zhinu and the cowherd were separated. A Milky Way was created in the sky by Zhinu's grandmother to keep them apart. Zhinu was placed in the star Vega, while the cowherd and their children were placed in the star Altair.
Once a year, on the 7th day of the 7th month of the Lunar Calendar, a flock of magpies forms a bridge to allow the lovers to reunite for a single day. This is the only day the Emperor permits them to meet. It is said that the Chinese Valentine's Day is often accompanied by rain, symbolizing the tears shed by the two lovers.
The love story of Zhinu and Niulang has been passed down for thousands of years and is a beloved tale in Chinese culture, capturing the hearts of many during the Qixi Festival.
Image source: https://goo.gl/images/aaat3Y
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