What is worshipped during the Qixi Festival
There is a custom of worshipping deities during the Qixi Festival. The deities worshipped may vary by region, but they are mostly the Seven Sisters (also known as Zhinü).One, Worship the Weaving Maid
There is a custom of worshipping the Weaving Maid during the Qixi Festival. The Weaving Maid is also known as the Seven Sisters, the Seven Stars Goddess, the Heavenly Immortal Mother, and the Seven Mothers, among others. July 7th is her birthday. In ancient times, women would "beg for skill" from the Weaving Maid, hoping she would teach them the skills of being dexterous and skilled, hence the Qixi Festival is also called the "Begging for Skill Festival".
Two, Worship the Cowherd
During the Qixi Festival, young girls worship the Weaving Maid, while young boys go to worship the Cowherd. This is because the love story between the Cowherd and the Weaving Maid is the most widely known in the legend of the Qixi Festival, so people also worship the Cowherd to commemorate their beautiful love.
Three, Worship the Star of the Literary Excellence
It is said that July 7th is the birthday of the Star of the Literary Excellence. The Star of the Literary Excellence is the first star of the Big Dipper, which governs the rise and fall of literary achievements. Those who wish to pursue academic success especially revere the Star of the Literary Excellence, and thus offer sacrifices on the Qixi Festival to pray that the Star of the Literary Excellence will protect their academic success and achieve fame and fortune.
Four, Worship the Bed Mother
The Bed Mother is the guardian deity of children. According to legend, July 7th is her birthday. Therefore, families with children will worship the Bed Mother at dusk on that day near the children's beds, then burn "four-direction gold" and "Bed Mother's clothes", hoping that the child can grow up healthily and quickly.
What should be prepared when worshipping the Lord
In some rural areas of southern Guangdong, there is a tradition of making rice cakes and worshipping deities on July 7th, i.e., worshipping the Lord and the Earth God.According to traditional customs, on the Qixi Festival, people first worship the "Lord" (Buddha) in the temple, and then worship the Earth God. The offerings for worshipping usually include rice cakes, three cups of tea and five glasses of wine, fruits, etc.
What is the moon phase during the Qixi Festival
The moon phase during the Qixi Festival is the first quarter moon.According to festivals and moon phases, the moon phase of the Spring Festival is the "New Moon", also called the "Suo Moon"; the moon phase of the Double Ninth Festival is close to the "First Quarter Moon"; the moon phase of the Mid-Autumn Festival is the "Full Moon", also called the "Wang Moon"; while the moon phase of the Qixi Festival is the "First Quarter Moon".
1. New Moon: When the difference in ecliptic longitude between the Sun and the Moon is 0°, the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, facing the Earth with its dark side, and almost rising and setting with the Sun, so it cannot be seen from the ground. This is called "Suo", and the day is the first day of the lunar month.
2. First Quarter Moon: On the seventh or eighth day of the lunar month, the difference in ecliptic longitude is 90°. After sunset, the Moon is already overhead, and it sets in the middle of the night. At this time, the part of the Moon illuminated by the Sun is exactly half visible to us, which is called the "First Quarter Moon".
3. Full Moon: On the fifteenth or sixteenth day of the lunar month, the Moon moves to the opposite side of the Earth, with an ecliptic longitude difference of 180°. At this time, the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, and the illuminated half of the Moon faces the Earth, which we see as the Full Moon, also called the "Wang" (full moon).
4. Last Quarter Moon: After the Full Moon, the time when the Moon rises each day becomes later and later, and the visible illuminated portion of the Moon also becomes smaller day by day. By the 23rd day of the lunar month, the ecliptic longitude difference is 270°. Half of the Full Moon has been lost, and at this time, only a half-moon appears in the eastern sky during the second half of the night. This is called the "Last Quarter".
