Known in the Chinese community as the Double Seventh Festival and the Seventh Night Festival, the Qixi Festival is the eastern equivalent to the western Valentine’s Day.
While it may not be as celebrated as its western counterpart, the festival, held on Aug 7 this year, is still a good reason to go out and splurge a bit of cash on gifts and a romantic dinner for your significant other.
What’s the story behind the festival? It has been celebrated since the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), but the myth behind it has been around since the Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC – 256 BC).
Here’s how the myth goes:
Tale of the cowherd and the weaver girl
In one of the more common interpretations of the myth, the story starts with Niulang, a young, poor and kind-hearted cowherd who was left with nothing but an old ox by his abusive family.
Taking pity on his caretaker, the ox, that apparently used to be the constellation of Taurus before being demoted by the Celestial Court, sought a way to repay the cowherd’s kindness.
At the same time as this human-animal interaction was taking place, the Jade Emperor and the Celestial Queen Mother were acceding to the requests of their goddess daughters and granddaughters who were growing restless in heaven and wished to visit the mortal realm.
They descended onto the earth and decided to take a bath in a lake that happened to be close to Niulang’s abode.
The ox led Niulang to the lake and the cowherd happened to spot the goddesses; one of whom happened to catch his eye more than the rest.
This was Zhinü, a fairy granddaughter of the Jade Emperor and a renowned seamstress and weaver.
On the ox’s instructions, Niulang stole Zhinü’s magic robes which prevented her from returning to heaven with her family.
Feeling somewhat guilty about leaving a literal goddess in the nude, Niulang soon revealed himself to be the thief and for some reason, the two fell in love with each other and got hitched.
Their union resulted in two children and for a time, the family was happy, with Niulang living the humble life of a peasant and Zhinü as a weaver.
The ox passed away, but not before instructing Niulang to skin him and keep a coat of his hide to gain the ability to ascend into the heavens.
Facing a mother’s wrath
In the meantime, the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother finally noticed the absence of their granddaughter and questioned their offspring on her whereabouts.
Upon uncovering the truth, they were outraged that a mere mortal had consummated a marriage with a divine being, and the Queen Mother went to force Zhinü to return against her will.
Coming home to weeping children and a missing wife, Niulang tossed his children into a basket on his shoulder before donning the hide coat to search for his wife.
Hopping mad at the sight of the persistent Niulang, the Queen Mother used her hairpin to slash across the sky, creating the Milky Way in the process.
The couple was broken-hearted at the forced separation and wept bitterly.
Their sorrow caught the attention of the magpies of earth who were moved enough to fly upwards and form a bridge linking the two lovers.
Feeling simultaneously impressed and a little guilty about tearing apart a happy family, the Jade Emperor and the Heavenly Queen Mother decreed that the family would be allowed to meet once every year.
And that is the story of how the Qixi Festival came to be.
Today, the myth also serves as a symbol of long-distance relationships.
So, if you are indeed engaged in such a relationship, remember to give your significant other a call or even pay them a visit on this special day.
And on an interesting astronomical note, the stars Altair and Vega, are believed by some Chinese to represent Niulang and Zhinü respectively, and the two stars do indeed appear to be separated by the expanse that is the Milky Way.
Balls of hot gas or eternal lovers divided by the will of heaven? It is up for you to decide.