Today, August 22nd is Chinese Valentine’s Day (one of many celebrations to celebrate love). According to tradition, it falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. It could be said that Qīxī Festival is the Chinese version of Valentine’s Day in western countries. This festival has been celebrated since the Han dinasty!
Chinese mythology has it that there was a forbidden love story between Zhinü (織女 zhī nǚ), which can be translated as ‘weaver maid,’ and Niulang (牛郎牛 niú lánɡ ), meaning ‘cowherd.’ They lived separated and only one night per year the two lovers could reunite. the folktale has it that a flock of magpies formed a bridge so that the lovers could meet. This story is reflected in a poem that is over 2600 years old!
Did you know about this traditional Chinese celebration? Is it celebrated in your culture?
❤️️ Happy Double 7th! 七夕快乐！ ❤️️