Qixi Festival

Chinese mythology · love story · celestial

Two separated lovers. According to Chinese legend, Zhinü (the Weaver Girl) and Niulang (the Cowherd) are two stars that represent true love torn apart by the Milky Way. They can only meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month.

Celebration of reunion. Every year on this special date, thousands of magpies are believed to form a bridge across the sky so the lovers can embrace. People gather to celebrate their touching story and honor love and devotion.

Festival of skills. The Qixi Festival is also called the Qiqiao Festival, which means 'begging for cleverness.' Young women traditionally make offerings and ask Zhinü for skills in weaving, embroidery, and other crafts.

Celebrated across Asia. This beautiful festival inspired Tanabata in Japan, Chilseok in Korea, and is celebrated as Thất Tịch in Vietnam. Each country has made the star-crossed lovers' story part of its own culture.

Follows the lunar calendar. The festival happens on the seventh day of the seventh month according to the Chinese lunisolar calendar, which is different from the regular calendar we use. This means the date changes on our regular calendar each year.