Qixi Festival Origin, Legends, and Customs in English
The Qixi Festival, also known as Chinese Valentine's Day, is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. It has a rich history and is filled with legends, customs, and cultural significance.
**Origin:**
The origin of the Qixi Festival can be traced back to a romantic legend. According to the story, there was a cowherd named Niulang and a weaver girl named Zhinu. They fell in love, but were separated by the Milky Way. The only way they could reunite was if the magpies would form a bridge for them to cross. On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the magpies would gather to form a bridge, allowing the two lovers to meet.
**Legends:**
The most famous legend associated with the Qixi Festival is the story of the weaver girl Zhinu and the cowherd Niulang. They were separated by the Milky Way, which was guarded by the Queen Mother of the West. The only way for them to be together was to have the magpies form a bridge for them to cross. The Queen Mother was touched by their love and allowed them to meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month.
Another legend is about a scholar named Zhang Ruoxi, who was so dedicated to his studies that he neglected his health. His wife, Lü Yuanyuan, was worried about him and decided to starve herself to save him. When Zhang Ruoxi found out, he was so moved that he vowed to never study again and to take care of his wife. Their love and dedication to each other are celebrated during the Qixi Festival.
**Customs:**
The Qixi Festival is celebrated in various ways across China. Here are some of the customs:
1. **Making and Offering Ropes:** Young women would make ropes and offer them to the magpies, hoping that they would use them to form a bridge for the weaver girl and the cowherd.
2. **Stitching and Sewing:** Women would engage in needlework and stitching, hoping to improve their weaving skills and attract a good husband.
3. **Eating Qixi Noodles:** Eating noodles on the Qixi Festival is believed to bring good luck in love and marriage.
4. **Watching the Stars:** On the night of the festival, people would look up at the sky to see the stars, especially the two brightest stars, which represent the weaver girl and the cowherd.
5. **Sending Love Messages:** Young people would write love messages to their crushes and hang them on trees or bridges, hoping to express their feelings.
The Qixi Festival is a time for celebrating love and romance, and it continues to be an important part of Chinese culture today.
「点击下面查看原网页 领取您的八字精批报告☟☟☟☟☟☟」