Qixi Festival (七夕节, Qīxī Jié) — often called Chinese Valentine’s Day — is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar.
It originates from one of China’s most romantic legends: the annual meeting of Niulang (the Cowherd) and Zhinu (the Weaver Girl) on a bridge formed by magpies.
This timeless story has made Qixi one of the most beloved traditional festivals in Chinese culture.
🌌 What Is Qixi Festival?
On this special evening, people celebrate love, devotion, craftsmanship, and the beautiful story that has inspired poetry for centuries.
As the Song dynasty poet Qin Guan wrote in “To the Tune of Queqiao Xian”:
“金风玉露一相逢，便胜却人间无数。”
“When the golden wind meets the jade dew,
their encounter outshines countless moments in the mortal world.”
Isn’t it wonderfully romantic?
📚 What Does “Xī” (夕) in “Qixi” Mean?
We often say “七夕节,” but what does the character 夕 really mean?
In ancient Chinese, 夕 referred to the time between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., when the sun sets.
So “七夕” literally means:
👉 “The evening of the seventh day of the seventh lunar month.”
👫 The Legend of Niulang and Zhinu
According to the traditional story:
- Zhinu (织女) was a fairy from heaven, skilled in weaving.
- Niulang (牛郎) was a kind and hardworking mortal.
- They fell deeply in love, but their relationship angered the Queen Mother of Heaven, who separated them with the Milky Way (银河).
Moved by their love, countless magpies (喜鹊) — symbols of joy and romance in Chinese culture — formed a bridge so they could meet.
Touched by their devotion, the Queen Mother allowed them to reunite once every year, on Qixi night.
A beautiful story of love surviving even the greatest distance.
🧵 Qixi as the Festival of Craftsmanship — 乞巧节
To ancient Chinese, Qixi wasn’t only a lovers’ festival.
It was also the Festival of Craftsmanship (乞巧节).
Because Zhinu was believed to be highly skilled in weaving and embroidery, young women prayed to her on this night, hoping to become:
- more skillful
- more creative
- more capable in crafts and artistry
It was a celebration of talent, beauty, and feminine creativity.
❤️ Our School Activity: 七夕鹊桥会
Last Friday, SN Mandarin hosted a special cultural event:
“Love Across the Milky Way — 七夕鹊桥会.”
Students listened to the romantic story of Niulang and Zhinu, learned about traditional customs, and even made their own 香囊 (scented sachets) by hand.
It was a meaningful and immersive way to experience traditional Chinese culture — blending creativity, storytelling, and celebration.
🌙 See You at the Next Event!
Thank you to all students who participated in our Qixi activity.
We hope you enjoyed learning about the festival’s beautiful meaning, history, and traditions.
Stay tuned for our next cultural event —
让我们下次活动见！(See you next time!)
