Did you celebrate Valentine’s Day last Tuesday? Yeah, I’m not crazy. In fact, it was 七夕节 Qīxìjié, one of the three Chinese Valentine’s Days.
Also called Qixi Festival (literally: Evening of Sevens Festival), this unique celebration is celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th month of the Chinese lunar calendar is based on the romantic legend of 織女 Zhīnǚ and 牛郎 Niúláng.
The story of the cowherd and the weaver Girl
According to legend, Zhinü, represented by the star Vega, was one of the daughters of the Jade Emperor. Bored with her mundane life in heaven, Zhinü descended to earth and defied the rules of heaven by falling in love with the mortal Niulang, represented by Altair, the brightest star in the constellation of Aquila.
Zhinü’s mother, the Goddess of Heaven, soon discovered that Zhinü had married a mortal and promptly sent soldiers to retrieve her. The soldiers made quick work of their assignment and, tragically, the lovers were separated.
In the face of his devastating loss, Zhinü’s mortal husband Niulang carried their two children to heaven in search of his beloved wife. Yet the Goddess of Heaven, ever the controlling mother, quickly learned of Niulang’s arrival and created a tremendous river – the Milky Way itself – between him and Zhinü to separate them for eternity.
Moved by the couple’s love, on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, a flock of beautiful magpies formed a bridge over the great celestial river so that Niulang and Zhinü could meet on what came to be known as the “Magpie Bridge.”
Witnessing this most romantic scene unfold – and to the delight of lovers worldwide – the Goddess of Heaven underwent a dramatic change of heart! She thus decided to allow the lovers to meet on the Magpie Bridge each year on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month forevermore.
And, how is 七夕节 (Qīxìjié) celebrated in China?
Chinese people tent to be very romentic when it comes to celebrate their love. For this reason, on this special occasion, couples usually do with an array of elaborate gifts and gestures to express their love. Like any romantic holiday, couples spend time together, enjoy a nice dinner, exchange gifts, go to the cinema, etc.
Qixi Festival brings an air of romanticism to the streets of China, with couples gazing into the night sky in search of the stars Vega and Altair.
Qixi is a time to bake and eat 巧果 qiǎoguǒ, a type of sweet pastry. This is because the character 巧 (qiǎo) in 巧果 sounds very similar to 桥 (qiáo), which means bridge, thus symbolizing the celestial Magpie Bridge! 巧 can also mean “skillful,” so by eating these little sweets women can become 心灵手巧 (xīnlíng shǒuqiǎo), which means clever and skillful.
Chinese people go crazy for this assonances!
Traditionally, women also pray to Zhinü for wisdom, a good husband, and a happy life.
You can find Qiaoguo’s recepe here, if you want to give then a try.
Sources:
Martina Pagliano - My personal translator 
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