💕 七夕 Qīxī – When Love Crosses the Stars

The romantic legend behind Chinese Valentine’s Day

Long ago, a weaver girl, 织女 (Zhī Nǚ), from heaven met a kind cowherd, 牛郎 (Niú Láng), on Earth.

They fell deeply in love, got married, and had children. 

But their love broke the rules of the heavens.

As punishment, they were separated by the Milky Way…

The couple’s deep love moved the magpies.

Once a year, they fly together and form a bridge with their wings, so the lovers can cross the sky and meet. 🌌

That night is 七夕 (Qīxī), the 7th night of the 7th lunar month — now known as Chinese Valentine’s Day.

🌌 What Does It Mean?

• 七 (qī) = seven

• 夕 (xī) = night/evening

So 七夕 literally means “The Seventh Night.”

It’s a date written in the stars — when 牛郎 (Niú Láng) and 织女 (Zhī Nǚ) meet on the Magpie Bridge.

👩‍❤️‍👨 How People Celebrate

On 七夕 Qīxī, love is in the air — but so are timeless traditions.

Here’s how people celebrate:

❤️ Lovers exchange gifts, like:

• Flowers 🌹

• Chocolates 🍫

• Handwritten letters or poems ✍🏻

🧵 In the past, girls:

• Practiced needlework to show skill and devotion

🌠 And some people…

• Look up at the stars ✨

Trying to spot the Altair and Vega stars — said to be 牛郎 Niú Láng and 织女 Zhī Nǚ, waiting to reunite. 

🗣 Key Vocabulary & Expressions

• 七夕 Qīxī - Qixi Festival

• 牛郎 Niú Láng - The Cowherd

• 织女 Zhī Nǚ - The Weaver Girl

• 鹊桥 què qiáo - Magpie Bridge

• 乞巧 qǐ qiǎo - Begging for skill (old tradition)

• 情侣 qíng lǚ - Couple, lovers

💬 Try This!

Translate and read aloud:

我们在七夕一起看星星，想象牛郎和织女相会。

(Wǒmen zài Qīxī yìqǐ kàn xīngxing, xiǎngxiàng Niú Láng hé Zhī Nǚ xiāng huì.)

🌌 We watch the stars together on Qixi, imagining Niú Láng and Zhī Nǚ meeting again

🇨🇳 Cultural Insight

In Chinese culture, love is often quiet… but deep.

七夕 Qīxī isn’t just about gifts.

It’s about loyalty, waiting, and believing — even across the stars.

This festival reminds us:

💌 True love may be delayed, but it always finds a way.

🌟 Final Thoughts

So when 七夕 Qīxī comes…

Take a moment. Look at the sky. Imagine a couple reunited by magpies.

Whether you’re in love, waiting for love, or healing from it —

七夕 Qīxī says:

“Love is patient, strong, and worth the wait.”

🇨🇳 Curious about more Chinese traditions?

📚 Step into the blog series: Chinese Culture!