Qixi, the Double Seventh Festival (七夕)

How the festivals began

The festival comes from the legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl (牛郎織女). On this night, magpies are said to form a bridge across the Milky Way, so the two star lovers can meet once a year.

Traditionally, the day was also called the Birthday of the Seventh Sister (七姐誕), after the Weaver Girl. Girls would 'beg for skill' (乞巧), asking her for deft hands, fine crafts and a happy match.

Traditional customs

Customs are much the same across Chinese communities. Traditionally, girls and women honoured the Weaver Girl, laying out needles, thread and handicrafts, and played threading-needle games to show a light hand. In some places, girls dyed their nails with balsam flowers as a sign of beauty and good luck. In southern China and Hong Kong, some families prepare a 'Seven Sisters plate' (七姐盆), an offering of needles, thread, face powder and fresh fruit. In Taiwan, some families honour the Seventh Mother (七娘媽), a guardian of children in local belief. Today, many people keep Qixi as the Chinese Valentine's Day, spending the day with a partner, or telling the tale of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl to children.