Qixi Festival: everything you need to know about 'Chinese Valentine’s Day', the Double Seventh lunar calendar date celebrated as Tanabata in Japan and Chilseok in Korea
It’s that time of year again – to dream of love, the moon and the Milky Way. The festival often known as Double Seventh is a tradition that speaks to our deepest romantic yearnings. But just how familiar are you with the ancient tale itself?
The Qixi Festival – sometimes referred to as the Chinese Valentine’s Day – takes place on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, which falls on August 25 in 2020.
You may have heard of the star-crossed lovers from the Qixi Festival – Niulang, whose name means “cowherd”, and Zhinu, or “weaver girl”, and how they fell in love but were banned from seeing each because of opposition from the girl’s family. But are you familiar with all the juicy details?
Take our quiz to find out!
How did the lovers meet?
When Niulang was banished from his home by his brother and his sister-in-law, he was left with an old ox which turned out to be the fallen Taurus. Under the ox’s guidance, he found a group of fairies bathing in a lake and hid the clothes belonging to one. The owner of the dress was, of course, Zhinu.
She chased after him, and a few chats later, they fell in love, married and had a son and daughter.
Some versions of the story say that Zhinu was forced to marry him because he saw her naked. Either way, this was quite a dramatic first encounter.
What was the Milky Way – the one that separates the lovers – made from? (Hint: it has nothing to do with the Big Bang!)
It was the silver hairpin of Xiwangmu, often referred to as the Queen Mother of the West. Mother of Zhinu and the Goddess of Heaven, she was not a big fan of giving her daughter away to a mortal and, in a fit of rage and to stop the young lovebirds from meeting, hurled her hairpin into the sky which turned into a silver river of stars.
Why can the lovers only meet once a year?
Moved by the pair’s strong love, thousands of magpies gathered to form a bridge so they could meet at the centre. Zhinu’s parents eventually gave in and allowed their annual gathering.