七夕节 The Romantic Story Behind Qixi Festival in Chinese Culture
How much do you know about Qixi Festival or the Chinese Valentines Day? Its Chinese name is 七夕节 Qīxī Jié, also known as the Double Seven Festival. This week we explore the story behind Qixi Festival and share insights on why it is so popular in China.
七夕节 | The Story Behind Qixi Festival
When Is Qixi Festival Celebrated?
Qixi Festival is celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th month of the Lunar calendar. In 2025 Qixi falls on August 29 (Friday). This traditional date marks the Chinese Valentines Day and is an important day in Chinese lunar festivals and romantic Chinese holidays.
Origins: Qiqiao Festival
In the beginning, this festival served a different purpose. It was the day when girls showcased their needlework skills and prayed to Goddess Zhinü for ingenuity. The original name of this festival was 乞巧节 Qǐqiǎo Jié meaning “Ingenuity begging festival”.
Discover why Qiqiao Festival needlework tradition remains a key part of Chinese women’s festivals and the legend of Goddess Zhinü.
Love story: Weaver Girl & Cowherd
The two protagonists in the story behind Qixi Festival are 织女 (Zhīnǚ), the Weaver Girl, and 牛郎 (Niúláng), the Cowherd.
Once upon a time, there was a fairy called 织女 (Zhīnǚ), or literally, “weaving-girl”. She came from the family of the powerful Jade Emperor in Heaven.
One day, she went down to Earth with her friends. There she met a boy called 牛郎 (Niúláng), literally “cowherd-boy”. They instantly fell in love with each other. Zhīnǚ decided to stay on Earth and got married to Niúláng without her family’s permission. They lived together for several years and gave birth to two kids.
Unfortunately, her family found out about it and got very angry, because it was unacceptable for a fairy to get married to a human. So, the Jade Emperor took her from their house and brought her back to Heaven.
To stop Zhīnǚ from going out again, he created the Milky Way (银河 Yínhé) to separate the lovers. The lovers could no longer see each other. Zhīnǚ would spend all day crying on the other side of the Milky Way.
The sound of her crying was felt by the whole world. On the 7th day of the 7th month, thousands of magpies gathered together and used their bodies to build a bridge to the Milky Way. Then Niúláng and Zhīnǚ could meet on the bridge! From then on, this day became the only time of the year when they could be with each other again.
Celebrating Qixi Festival Today
In modern China couples celebrate Qixi Festival like Chinese Valentine’s Day by giving gifts, flowers, chocolate and enjoying romantic dates. Sending Qixi Festival wishes and expressing love is an important part of the celebration.
七夕节快乐！
Qīxī Jié kuài lè!
Happy Qixi Festival!
FAQ: 七夕节 The Story Behind Qixi Festival | Learn Chinese Culture
01. What is 七夕节 Qixi Festival?
七夕节 Qixi Festival also known as Chinese Valentine’s Day celebrates the legendary love story between the Weaver Girl (织女 Zhīnǚ) and the Cowherd (牛郎 Niúláng). It is observed on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month in China.
02. When is Qixi Festival celebrated?
Qixi Festival is celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th month of the Lunar calendar. Each year the date changes according to the lunar calendar but it usually falls in August.
03. What is the story behind Qixi Festival?
The story tells about the love between the Weaver Girl and the Cowherd who were separated by the Milky Way (银河 Yínhé). The Jade Emperor created the Milky Way to keep them apart but magpies built a bridge allowing them to meet once a year on Qixi Festival.
04. How do people celebrate Qixi Festival today?
Modern celebrations include giving gifts, flowers and chocolates, romantic dates and sending Qixi Festival wishes. Similar to Valentine’s Day couples show love and appreciation for each other.
05. What are traditional customs of Qixi Festival?
Traditional customs include girls showcasing needlework skills, praying to the Goddess Zhīnǚ for wisdom and love and making offerings to celebrate ingenuity and romance.
06. Why is Qixi Festival important in Chinese culture?
Qixi Festival represents love reunion and devotion. It is one of the most popular traditional festivals that highlights Chinese romantic culture and folklore.
Take It Further
Do you know any typical features of Chinese people’s personality? Have you ever heard about key aspects of Chinese drinking culture?
Visit out blog to learn more interesting facts about Chinese culture and traditions.
