Qi Xi facts for kids

Qi Xi, also known as Chinese Valentine's Day, the Magpie Festival, or the Double Seventh Festival, is a traditional festival about love in China. It happens on the 7th day of the 7th month in the Chinese lunar calendar. This usually falls in August on the Gregorian calendar.

What is the Story of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl?

In late summer, you can see two bright stars far apart in the Milky Way. These stars are called Altair (the Cowherd, or Niulang) and Vega (the Weaver Girl, or Zhinü). There is a famous old story about them:

Long, long ago, there was a kind and honest young man named Niulang. His parents had passed away when he was very young. Later, his mean sister-in-law made him leave his home. So, Niulang lived alone, taking care of cattle and farming.

One day, a beautiful fairy from heaven, named Zhinü, saw him and fell in love. She secretly came down to Earth and married Niulang. They lived a very happy life together. Niulang worked in the fields, and Zhinü wove beautiful cloth at home. They had a boy and a girl.

Sadly, the God of Heaven soon found out about their secret marriage. He ordered the Queen Mother of the Western Heavens to bring Zhinü back to heaven.

Niulang was heartbroken. With help from his magical celestial cattle, he flew to heaven with his son and daughter. He was almost close enough to reach his wife! But then, the Queen Mother took out her golden hairpin. She used it to scratch a wide river across the sky. This river separated the two lovers forever.

Niulang and Zhinü have been separated on opposite sides of this heavenly river ever since. But once a year, something amazing happens! All the magpies in the world fly up to the sky. They build a bridge with their bodies so Niulang and Zhinü can meet for just one special day. This meeting happens on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month. That is why their meeting is called "Qi Xi," which means "Double Seventh."

When Did Qi Xi Begin?

Experts believe the Double Seventh Festival started a very long time ago, during the Han Dynasty (206 BC to AD 220). Old writings from the Eastern Jin Dynasty (AD 371-420) also mention the festival.

Later, during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), records show that Emperor Taizong and his royal family held big evening parties for Qi Xi. By the time of the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1279-1368) dynasties, special items for Qi Xi were sold in busy markets. This shows how important the festival had become to people.

How is Qi Xi Celebrated?

Today, some old traditions for Qi Xi are still followed in the countryside of China. However, in big cities, these customs are not as common.

In the past, Qi Xi was not just for people in love. It was also a very special day for girls. It was known as the "Begging for Skills Festival" or the "Daughters' Festival."

Long ago, girls would perform a ceremony. They would ask Zhinü, the Weaver Girl, for wisdom and good sewing skills. They also hoped she would help them find a happy marriage in the future.

In some areas, like Shandong Province, young women would offer fruit and pastries. They prayed for a smart mind. If they saw spiders weaving webs on these offerings, it was a good sign! People believed it meant the Weaver Girl was happy with their prayers.

In other places, seven close friends would gather to make dumplings. They would hide three special items inside different dumplings: a needle, a copper coin, and a red date. Finding the needle meant you would be good at sewing. Finding the coin meant good luck and wealth. Finding the red date meant you would get married soon.

Girls also held competitions to show off their weaving and needlework skills. They wanted to see who had the best hands and the brightest mind. These skills were very important for being a good wife and mother in ancient China. Young women in southern China would even make small crafts from colored paper, grass, and thread. Then, they would compete to pass a thread through the eyes of seven needles in one single breath!

Qi Xi in Japan

The Japanese version of Qi Xi is called Tanabata. It is celebrated on July 7th. On the evening of this day, people write their wishes on small slips of paper. They then hang these notes on bamboo trees, hoping their wishes will come true.

See also

In Spanish: Qi xi para niños