The origin of the Qixi Festival dates back a long time, and it is said to be related to the ancient people's worship of celestial phenomena. The most famous legend associated with the Qixi Festival is the love story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. Huayi Network has compiled the legends, customs, and taboos of the Qixi Festival, hoping to help everyone understand the Qixi Festival better.

The origin and legends of the Qixi Festival

【Origin】：
The Qixi Festival evolved from the worship of stars and constellations, and it is traditionally known as the birthday of the "Seven Sisters." Because the activity of paying homage to the "Seven Sisters" takes place on the evening of the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, it is called "Qixi."
【Legends】：
The most widely spread legend of the Qixi Festival is the love story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, which is one of the representatives of the traditional "love between immortals and mortals" in China.
The Qixi Festival, also known as the Qiqiao Festival, the Seven Sisters' Festival, the Daughter's Festival, the Begging for Skills Festival, the Seven Mothers' Assembly, the Qixi Sacrifice, the Day of the Ox God and Ox Wife, and the Skillful Night, is a traditional Chinese folk festival. Customs of the Qixi Festival include worshipping the Seven Sisters, making wishes and praying for blessings, begging for skills, watching the stars of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, praying for marital prospects, and collecting water on the Qixi night. With historical development, the Qixi Festival has been given the beautiful love legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, making it a symbol of love and considered the most romantic traditional festival in China. In modern times, it has even acquired the cultural meaning of the "Chinese Valentine's Day."

An introduction to the story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl

It is said that in the heavenly realm, there was a kind-hearted fairy girl - the Weaver Girl. While touring the human world, she fell in love at first sight with the Cowherd and married him, giving birth to a son and a daughter. However, because she violated the heavenly laws, the Weaver Girl was taken back to the heavens. After seeing his wife being taken away, the Cowherd immediately took his two children to chase after the Weaver Girl, but he was blocked by the Milky Way created by the Queen Mother. Later, the Queen Mother, moved by the Weaver Girl's sadness, made an exception, allowing them to meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. On this day each year, countless magpies will gather to form a bridge for them, which is known as the "Bridge of Magpies."