Today is the day of the Qixi Festival in China (chinese: 七夕节, Qīxījié). This is a romantic holiday, it is often called Chinese Valentine's Day. It is celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th month according to the traditional Lunar calendar, this is the reason why the holiday is also called Double Seventh Festival. In China, the Qixi holiday has been celebrated for more than two thousand years, since the reign of the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD).

Qixi Festival celebrated for the romantic legend of two lovers, a weaver girl Zhinü and a shepherd Niulang (chinese: 织女, Zhínǚ and 牛郎, Niúláng). There are several versions of this story, but I will write briefly. According to legend, there was a shepherd named Niulang a long time ago. He was engaged in farming and herding cattle. One day, a weaver girl named Zhinü, who lives in heaven, saw Niulang and immediately fell in love with him. In a fit of feelings, she descended from heaven and married him. They lived happily and had children. However, when Zhinü's mother, who was the Goddess of Heaven, discovered that her daughter married a mere mortal, she brought her back to heaven. Niulang in desperation rushed in pursuit of his beloved wife and, taking the children, flew to heaven. But when he almost caught up with Zhinü, the Goddess of Heaven drew a silver river between them with her golden hairpin (the river later became known as the Milky Way) 🌌

The lovers remained on opposite sides of the river. All they could do was look at each other and cry. Their crying was heard by the birds. Thousands of forty flew from different parts of the world to form a crossing over the bridge, where Niulang and Zhinü could meet. The Goddess of Heaven also took pity on the lovers and gave them permission to meet once a year on this bridge of forty. That's how the holiday of lovers of Qixi appeared.

Now this holiday is more popular among the younger generation. Lovers give each other small gifts, souvenirs and flowers, chocolates. Also, many young people choose this day for confessions.

Chinese legends are so beautiful and touching, and holidays always have interesting and amazing stories! English is not my native language, but I know it a little better than Chinese. I hope that I was able to tell you clearly about this holiday 🌼