Today is the Chinese Valentine's Day, Henan Baistra Medical Devices Limited wish
everyone a happy Valentine's Day!
Qixi Festival: A Celestial Romance on Earth
The Qixi Festival, translated as the Seventh Night or the Qiqiao Festival, originates from a timeless love story
between the cowherd, Niulang, and the weaver girl, Zhinü. This annual festival, observed on the 7th day of the
7th lunar month, transforms China into a realm of poetic and starry-eyed lovers, paralleling the Western concept
of Valentine's Day but steeped in ancient folklore.
Legend of Love:
At the heart of this festival lies a legend that spans the celestial divide. Zhinü, a goddess skilled in weaving clouds,
descended to earth and fell in love with Niulang, a humble cowherd. Their union was blessed with happiness and the
birth of two children, until the Goddess of Heaven, Zhinü's mother, discovered their marriage and forced her daughter
back to heaven. Heartbroken, Niulang and his children pursued, only to be separated by a silvery river-the Milky Way.
Touched by their devotion, magpies formed a bridge once a year, on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, allowing the
lovers to reunite briefly.
Traditions & Celebrations:
•Stargazing: Couples and families gather under the night sky, searching for the stars Altair and Vega, representing
Niulang and Zhinü respectively, shining brightly on opposite sides of the Milky Way.
•Wishing: Young women pray for dexterous hands in weaving and sewing, as well as for a love as enduring as Niulang
and Zhinü's. They also engage in rituals like threading needles under moonlight to demonstrate their finesse and
hopeful futures.
•Festive Foods: Special treats like Qiaoguo (traditional pastries), fruits, and melons are shared, symbolizing sweetness
and reunion.
•Poetry and Arts: Poetry readings, storytelling, and opera performances retelling the legend animate the evening,
celebrating love and the beauty of the written word.
The Qixi Festival encapsulates not just romantic love but also the values of loyalty, sacrifice, and the belief that true love can
conquer even the vastest of distances. It's a day when the heavens and earth come together in a symphony of love stories,
reminding us all of the power and magic of love.