What is the origin of the Qixi Festival? The origins of the Qixi Festival are two: one is the ancient people's worship of natural celestial phenomena, and the other is the birthday of the Seven Sisters, also known as the Birthday of the Mother of the Seven. How much do you know about the stories behind the Qixi Festival? After watching the content about the Qixi Festival on Huayi Network, you can learn more.

The Origin of the Qixi Festival

The origin of the Qixi Festival can be divided into three explanations: natural celestial worship, number worship, and the birthday of the Seven Sisters.
Natural Celestial Worship: It is generally believed that the Qixi Festival originated from the ancient people's worship of natural celestial phenomena, which also gave birth to the story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.
Number Worship: In ancient folk culture, there was a concept of "seven layers," including July 7th, considered a day when "heaven and humanity are connected."
Birthday of the Seven Sisters: Qixi is celebrated to honor the birthday of the Weaver Star, also known as the Seven Sisters.

The Stories Behind the Qixi Festival

Story One: The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl
Orphaned Cowherd lived with his older brother and sister-in-law, who often mistreated him. After he separated from them, he only had a very intelligent old ox for company. Later, with the help of the old ox, Cowherd met the Weaver Girl from heaven, and they lived a happy life of farming and weaving on earth. However, the Heavenly Emperor found out and was furious, ordering the Weaver Girl back to heaven. The old ox took Cowherd to chase after her, and the Queen Mother used her golden hairpin to draw a vast river in the sky. The steadfast love between Cowherd and the Weaver Girl moved the magpies, who built a bridge of magpies for them. The two finally met on the river. Moved by their love, the Heavenly Emperor allowed Cowherd and the Weaver Girl to meet once a year on the magpie bridge on July 7th, which is the origin of the Qixi Festival.
Story Two: The Golden Bull Descended to Earth
In addition to the love story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, there is another story behind the Qixi Festival called "the Golden Bull descended to earth." It is said that the old ox that could speak human words was the Golden Bull descending to earth. With his help, Cowherd and the Weaver Girl could be together. Before dying, the old ox appeared in Cowherd's dream and asked him to keep the ox skin after his death. He told Cowherd that on July 7th, he could put on the ox skin and go to heaven to meet the Weaver Girl.