Every nation and region has its own festivals. With the passage of time, the connotation and ways of celebrating festivals are also changing. Pay attention to Huayi Network, and learn more about the Qixi Festival.
Why is Qixi on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month
The Qixi Festival originated from the worship of stars and constellations, and it is traditionally known as the birthday of the Seven Sisters. "Wu Nu" was originally "Wu Nv Star." According to the "Tianguan Shu": "Nandou, Qian Niu, Xü Nü are all stars in the zodiac, located in the Chou position, which is the division of Yue, while Nandou and Qian Niu are the division of Wu." This indicates that on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, these stars—Nandou, Qian Niu, and Xü Nü—are the brightest, making them easily observable. Later, Wu Nu was called by the people as Qixia, Tianshen Niangniang, Qixing Niangniang, and Qiniangma, becoming the guardian deity of weavers, lovers, women, and children. The 7th day of the 7th lunar month is her birthday. On this day, women offer sacrifices to her, hoping to possess her skills. This practice gradually formed the Qixi Festival.
Is Qixi not suitable for couples to celebrate together?
Qixi is suitable for couples to celebrate together.
Although in ancient times, the Qixi Festival was not a festival for lovers but rather a festival for women, after the introduction of the Western Valentine's Day, combined with the romantic story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, the Qixi Festival took on the color of a Chinese Valentine's Day. Therefore, the modern Qixi Festival has gradually become the Chinese Valentine's Day, and couples can naturally celebrate it together on this day.
Although in ancient times, the Qixi Festival was not a festival for lovers but rather a festival for women, after the introduction of the Western Valentine's Day, combined with the romantic story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, the Qixi Festival took on the color of a Chinese Valentine's Day. Therefore, the modern Qixi Festival has gradually become the Chinese Valentine's Day, and couples can naturally celebrate it together on this day.
What benefits does washing hair on Qixi bring to women?
It is said that washing hair on Qixi can gain the protection of the Weaver Girl.
Women washing their hair on Qixi is a special custom. Many young girls in various regions like to wash their hair with the sap of trees mixed with water during the Qixi Festival, which is said to not only make women look young and beautiful, but also help unmarried girls find their ideal husbands quickly.
This custom is probably related to the belief in the "holy water" of Qixi. People believe that taking water from springs or rivers on Qixi is like taking water from the Milky Way, which has the power of purification and sanctity. Some places directly call it "Tian Sun Holy Water." Therefore, washing hair on this day has special significance, representing the use of holy water from the Milky Way to cleanse one's hair, which will surely gain the protection of the Weaver Goddess.
There are records of this custom in Hunan and Jiangsu-Zhejiang areas. For example, the "You County Annals" in the Xiangtan area of Hunan mentions: "On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, women collect柏 leaves and peach branches, boil them into water to wash their hair." In the essay "Hair," famous writer Qi Jun also mentioned that her mother and female relatives washed their hair on Qixi.
Women washing their hair on Qixi is a special custom. Many young girls in various regions like to wash their hair with the sap of trees mixed with water during the Qixi Festival, which is said to not only make women look young and beautiful, but also help unmarried girls find their ideal husbands quickly.
This custom is probably related to the belief in the "holy water" of Qixi. People believe that taking water from springs or rivers on Qixi is like taking water from the Milky Way, which has the power of purification and sanctity. Some places directly call it "Tian Sun Holy Water." Therefore, washing hair on this day has special significance, representing the use of holy water from the Milky Way to cleanse one's hair, which will surely gain the protection of the Weaver Goddess.
There are records of this custom in Hunan and Jiangsu-Zhejiang areas. For example, the "You County Annals" in the Xiangtan area of Hunan mentions: "On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, women collect柏 leaves and peach branches, boil them into water to wash their hair." In the essay "Hair," famous writer Qi Jun also mentioned that her mother and female relatives washed their hair on Qixi.
