The Qixi Festival celebrates the annual rendezvous between a fairy and a human whose love was forbidden in Chinese mythology. Also known as the Double Seventh Festival, it encapsulates the meanings of great romance and steadfast love – notions that are equivalent to Valentine's Day in Western countries.

Falling on the seventh day of the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar, Qixi is the only Chinese festival devoted to love. The legend of the two separated Chinese lovers has been celebrated since the Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD).

In 2016, the State Council added Qixi to China’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list along with the Spring Festival and Dragon Boat Festival.

A fairy tale: The cowherd and weaver maiden

The folklore story, which dates back to over 2,000 years, speaks of the romantic but tragic love between a cowherd on Earth, Niu Lang, and a weaver maiden Zhi Nu, who is the seventh daughter of the Jade Emperor and Mother Queen of the Heaven. The two fell in love at first sight and soon got married against the rules of the Heaven.

Zhi Nu was finally called to ascend back to the sky, but her husband followed after.

The infuriated Mother Queen slashed her hairpin, creating a billowy river up in the sky, known today as the Milky Way, to separate the two.

But all was not lost. Years later, a flock of magpies moved by their love and devotion formed a celestial bridge across the Milky Way, and the couple was permitted to see each other from across the river once a year – the seventh day of the seventh month. Instead of physical attraction and desire, faith and emotional connection are emphasized in the story – a common theme in many other Chinese tales about love.

Traditional customs based on celestial twist

In old times, stargazing on the night of Qixi used to be a traditional custom since the two star-crossed lovers were seen as representing the alignment of the stars Altair and Vega, which shine on opposite sides of the Milky Way.

Traditionally, Qixi was not only a special day for lovers, but also girls, as it was named the "Begging for Skills Festival" or "Daughters' Festival."

During the festival, girls attempted to display their domestic skills. In rural regions, they would prepare offerings of fruits and pray to Zhi Nu – a heavenly being deft at weaving – in the hope of improving their needlework abilities and finding a satisfactory husband.

Couples also celebrated their loyal love on this day by heading to temples hoping to get pregnant or begin a relationship with happiness and prosperity.