The Qixi Festival, also known as the Double Seventh Festival, falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, this year it will be observed on August 4. It is a traditional Chinese holiday that celebrates the annual meeting of the cowherd and weaver girl in Chinese mythology.
What is the Qixi Festival?
Traditionally, young girls would pray to the goddess of heaven for a good husband. On the night of the Qixi Festival, it is said that the two stars representing the cowherd and weaver girl meet in the sky.
Nowadays, the Qixi Festival is often celebrated with romantic gestures such as giving flowers or chocolates to loved ones. Couples may also go on dates or exchange gifts.
As it’s based on an ancient romantic tale of a weaving fairy from Heaven and an ox herd, the Qixi Festival is popularly known as the Chinese “Valentine’s Day.”
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What is the origin of the Qixi Festival?
The Qixi Festival is a Chinese festival that celebrates the annual meeting of the cowherd and weaver girl stars. It falls on the seventh day of the seventh month on the Chinese lunar calendar.
The festival has its origins in an ancient folk story. According to the story, there was once a young cowherd named Niulang. He was very poor and had to work hard to support his family. One day, he met a beautiful weaver girl named Zhinu. The two fell in love and got married.
However, Zhinu’s father did not approve of the marriage. He used his magic powers to separate the two lovers and put them on opposite sides of the Milky Way. Niulang was heartbroken. He missed his wife so much that he cried every day.
One day, Niulang’s tears turned into a bridge that connected him to Zhinu. The two lovers were able to meet again on this bridge once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh month. This day came to be known as the Qixi Festival.
People celebrate the Qixi Festival by giving gifts to their loved ones, eating special foods, and watching performances.
QIXI FESTIVAL DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | August 4 | Thursday |
| 2023 | August 22 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | August 10 | Saturday |
| 2025 | August 29 | Friday |
| 2026 | August 19 | Wednesday |
How is the Qixi Festival celebrated?
The Qixi Festival is a Chinese holiday that celebrates the meeting of the cowherd and weaver girl, two lovers who are separated by the Milky Way. The festival is also known as the Double Seventh Festival and falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month.
Qixi is typically celebrated with family gatherings, special meals, and folk dances. Couples often exchange gifts and express their love for one another on this day. On Qixi, it is also traditional to eat qiuxiang, a type of sweet dumpling made from glutinous rice flour.
In recent years, the Qixi Festival has become increasingly popular in China. Many young people now see it as an opportunity to celebrate love and relationships. The festival is also celebrated in other countries with large Chinese populations, such as Singapore and Malaysia.
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What food is traditionally eaten during the Qixi Festival?
There are a few traditional foods that are eaten during the Qixi Festival. One of the most popular is zongzi. Zongzi is a rice dumpling that is usually filled with meat or beans. It is often eaten for breakfast on the morning of the festival.
Another popular food during the Qixi Festival is tangyuan. Tangyuan are balls of glutinous rice flour that are filled with sweet filling such as sugar, honey, or fruit jam. They are usually served in a sweet soup and are a dessert dish.
Other traditional foods that may be eaten during the Qixi Festival include noodles, dumplings, and sticky rice cakes.
Conclusion
The Qixi Festival is a holiday that celebrates the love story of the Weaver Girl and the Cowherd. It is also known as the Double Seventh Festival and falls on the seventh day of the seventh month on the Chinese lunar calendar. If you are interested in celebrating this holiday, mark your calendars for August 4, 2022.