The Enchanting Legend of Qixi: Love, Stars, and Timeless Traditions

The Qixi Festival, also known as the Double Seventh Festival, Daughter’s Festival, and Chinese Valentine’s Day, is a traditional Chinese celebration that falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. It has a rich history that dates back to the Han Dynasty and is deeply rooted in folklore, romance, and the worship of celestial bodies. Over time, it has evolved from a festival focused on skills and dexterity to a celebration of love and devotion, inspired by the legendary love story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.

Origins and Development

The festival originated from the worship of stars and the passage of time. The ancient Chinese observed the astronomical phenomenon of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl stars. By the Eastern Han Dynasty, this became personified in the tale of the Weaver Girl crossing the Milky Way using a bridge of magpies to reunite with her beloved Cowherd. The number seven holds special significance in Chinese culture, representing phases of time and auspiciousness. «Qixi» literally means «Evening of Sevens,» making it a particularly meaningful date.

Evolution Through Dynasties

During the Wei, Jin Dynasties, the festival gained popularity among the upper classes. Poetry from this era frequently referenced Qixi and the Cowherd and Weaver Girl legend. In the Tang and Song Dynasties, the festival became more widely celebrated, with official recognition and elaborate customs. The Song Dynasty marked the peak of Qixi’s popularity, with the festival becoming a national holiday celebrated by all social classes.

Decline and Modern Revival

By the mid-Qing Dynasty, Qixi began to decline, further diminishing during the Republican era and after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in traditional festivals, and Qixi is now often celebrated as Chinese Valentine’s Day, though it still holds deeper cultural significance.

Folk Customs

Worshiping Qiniangma

Qiniangma, or the Seventh Goddess, is a central figure in Qixi. She is considered the goddess of skills and intelligence, particularly in needlework and weaving. Women, especially young girls, pray to Qiniangma for wisdom, dexterity, and a happy marriage. Offerings of fruits, flowers, and intricate handmade items are made in hopes of gaining skills in crafts and needlework. Qiniangma is believed to bless those who worship her with talents and virtues. Her legend suggests that she was a skilled weaver herself, which ties her to the Weaver Girl in the Qixi story.

The Origin of Qiniangma

The legend of Qiniangma varies in different regions, but a common version tells the story of seven sisters who were fairy weavers in the heavens. These sisters were known for their exceptional weaving skills, producing the finest silks and the most beautiful patterns. Their artistry was so renowned that they were eventually deified and worshipped by people who sought to emulate their talents.

According to the tale, the eldest sister among them was the most skilled and became the primary deity of worship, known as Qiniangma. She is often depicted with a calm and wise demeanor, holding a shuttle or weaving tool, symbolizing her mastery of the craft. It is believed that by worshiping Qiniangma, women could receive her blessings, improving their own skills and gaining wisdom and grace in their lives.

According to legend, there were seven Goddesses, but after the Weaver Girl left, only six remained. Without a dedicated temple for regular worship, these deities are considered «idle gods,» often descending to Earth for a bit of leisure. It’s said that the Seventh Goddess occasionally takes children, so families with less fortune might make a pact with her to ensure their safety. The Hakka people, when paying homage to the Seven Star Goddess, don’t use a traditional temple but instead work with a printed image of her, pressed down with an incense burner. Parents seeking protection for their children hold a cup of rice and recite a special prayer: «Red (or white) flower branch, surname, and given name, with poor health and prone to fright. I now make a contract with you for protection and ask for a blessing. If permitted, please grant a cup of rice.» This continues until the Seven Star Goddess grants her blessing.

Celebrating the Seventh Day of the Seventh Lunar Month

The seventh day of the seventh lunar month is celebrated as the birthday of the Seventh Goddess. Legend has it that she is the seventh daughter of the Queen Mother, with the divine title «The Seventh Star Goddess.» She is revered as the protector of children, especially young girls.

In Chinese folklore, it is believed that children under sixteen receive the Seven Goddess protection. Therefore, when a baby turns one, the mother or grandmother takes the child to a temple to pray. They use ancient coins, lock tokens, and silver medals strung with red yarn as offerings, which are tied around the child’s neck. These offerings are kept until the child turns sixteen, when they are removed on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month.

The Enchanting Qixi Tradition

Every Qixi festival, the Seventh Star Goddess performs a fascinating ritual. She compiles a report on the virtues and conduct of sixteen-year-olds and presents it to the God of love, Old Moon. After reviewing the report, Old Moon scrutinizes each teenager’s appearance, temperament, and fate. He then pairs unmarried men and women as ideal couples and records their names in the marriage registry. The legend adds a whimsical touch: the Old Moon molds each pair into clay figurines, ties their feet together with red thread, and lets them dry. Once the figurines are ready, they are placed in the marriage hall, completing the matchmaking task.

In Chinese folklore, the Seventh Star Goddess is also known as the guardian of lovers, ensuring that couples enjoy a harmonious and lasting union, filled with love and joy for a hundred years.

Raising and Observing Spiders

One of the unique customs of Qixi involves raising spiders. Women and girls would catch small spiders and place them in delicate boxes or jars with small holes for ventilation. These containers were often made of paper or bamboo and designed to mimic the spiders’ natural environment. They would then observe the spiders’ web-making abilities throughout the night.

The webs were considered an omen: if the spider wove an intricate and beautiful web, it was seen as a sign of good luck, skill, and future success in needlework and other crafts. Conversely, a poorly made web indicated the need for improvement in one’s skills. This practice emphasizes the festival’s focus on dexterity and craftsmanship, linking it to the Weaver Girl’s legendary weaving skills.

Needle-Threading Competitions

On Qixi night, women and girls participate in needle-threading competitions, testing their skills and dexterity. This activity is both a form of entertainment and a way to honor the Weaver Girl, known for her weaving skills. The competition often involves threading needles under the moonlight, symbolizing a wish for improved skills and a brighter future.

Listening for the Weaver Girl and Cowherd

On Qixi night, some people quietly listen in hopes of hearing the whispered conversations of the Weaver Girl and the Cowherd. It is believed that if you hear their voices, you will be blessed with good fortune and happiness in love. This custom adds a mystical and romantic element to the festival.

Bathing on the Qixi

According to folk legends, on Qixi, the seven goddess from the heavens descend to the river to bathe. The river water, touched by the fairy essence, is believed to bring not only good fortune but also to prevent illness. In places like Baise and Jingxi in Guangxi, it is believed that the water on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month is very pure and sacred. This water can drive away evil and disease and also ensure a happy and prosperous love life. This custom is related to the local legend of the Seven Fairies bathing on this day

Collecting Dew

In rural Zhejiang, there is a tradition of collecting dew on the morning of Qixi. This dew, considered to be the tears of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl, is thought to have magical properties. Applying it to the eyes and hands is said to improve vision and dexterity.

Worshiping the Cow

In some areas, people worship the cow, a practice stemming from the story of the Cowherd. The cow, his faithful companion, helped him reunite with the Weaver Girl. This act of worship shows gratitude and respect for the animal’s loyalty and sacrifice.

Fragrance Bridge Meeting

In Yixing, Jiangsu, people gather to build a fragrance bridge made of incense sticks. At night, they burn the bridge, symbolizing the magpie bridge that the Cowherd and Weaver Girl use to reunite. This custom emphasizes the romantic aspect of the festival.

Eating Qiaoguo

Women make and eat Qiaoguo, a type of crispy, sweet pastry, as part of the festivities. These treats symbolize the skills and creativity that women pray for during the festival. Sharing Qiaoguo with friends and family adds a communal aspect to the celebrations.

Foreign Customs

Japan

The Japanese Tanabata or Qixi Festival was introduced during the Nara period from China and was initially a ceremonial activity for the court nobility. Starting from the Edo period, it gradually became a folk celebration. The original date of Tanabata in Japan was the same as in China. After the Meiji Restoration and the calendar reform, most regions changed the date to July 7 of the Gregorian calendar, but in Eastern Japan, Hokkaido, and Sendai, it is celebrated a month later on August 7, which roughly corresponds to the lunar calendar’s Tanabata date. It has now become one of the important summer festivals in Japan. Every year at this time, adults and children gather to write wishes and poems on colorful long paper slips and hang them on a small bamboo tree in their yard, along with paper decorations. They also place offerings such as corn and pears in the yard, asking the Weaver Star to bless the family’s girls with improved skills in calligraphy, sewing, and other crafts.

South Korea

According to Korean writer Choi Nam-seon in «Korean Common Knowledge,» the Korean Tanabata also originated from China and is celebrated on the same date, the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. However, Qixi is not as emphasized in Korea as it is in Japan. Korean Tanabata activities share some similarities with traditional Chinese customs. Women perform «Qiqiao» prayers, hoping to become skillful. Another important activity during Qixi Festival in Korea is making offerings. Unlike the Chinese Qixi celebrations, Koreans prepare some cakes and place them by the soy sauce jar or well with fresh water from the well, praying for family safety and a good harvest.

Vietnam

Like Japan and Korea, Vietnam has also been influenced by Chinese culture and has a tradition of celebrating Qixi. Most people who celebrate Qixi in Vietnam are ethnic Chinese. On Qixi, they perform worship activities, using foods more typical of southern Chinese cities, such as water chestnuts, money cakes, and chess cakes as offerings. Additionally, Qixi in Vietnam is also known as «Cowherd and Weaver Girl Day.» Some young people write their wishes for love or marriage on paper strips, hoping for happiness. Unlike in China, where Qixi is considered the «Chinese Valentine’s Day,» in Vietnam, people avoid holding weddings in July due to concerns that the couple might have difficulty meeting like the Cowherd and Weaver Girl.

The Legend of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl

The legend tells of the love between Niulang (the Cowherd) and Zhinü (the Weaver Girl), who were separated by the Milky Way and allowed to reunite only once a year on Qixi. This story has been a symbol of enduring love and devotion, inspiring countless poems, songs, and artworks. It embodies the themes of love, longing, and the hope for reunion, making Qixi a day for expressing love and admiration.

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Conclusion

The Qixi Festival is a beautiful blend of ancient traditions and modern celebrations. It carries rich cultural connotations, blending folk culture, romantic love, and creative enthusiasm. Despite its historical decline, the Qixi Festival has potential for revitalization, integrating modern elements to make it even more exciting and meaningful today. By preserving and adapting these traditions, the Qixi Festival continues to be a valuable example of Chinese cultural heritage in a globalized world.