The seventh day of the seventh lunar month is Qixi, widely regarded as China's Valentine's Day.
Legend has it that the youngest daughter of the Jade Emperor (the
ruler of the world as per the legend), the Weaver Girl, became tired of
the boring immortal life and decided to descend to the mortal world. She
met and fell in love with a cowherd, a union strongly objected by the
Jade Emperor who in turn forcibly separated them by the Milky Way,
leaving them torn apart by the galaxy and only allowing them to meet
once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month.
The distance did not weaken their affection toward one another, as
they still loved each other and looked forward to meeting once a year on
the seventh day of the seventh lunar month.
Watch this video to learn more about the legend, as well as traditions and customs related to Qixi.
Festive China is a series of short clips focusing on
traditional Chinese festivals and festivities, the cultural connotations
of traditional holidays, their development and changes, and how they
manifest in today's China.
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