Knowing All about Hunan

Chinese Valentine's Day in Changsha: Love her, Take her to fly on Hot-air Balloon

Editor:张焕勤
Source:english.rednet.cn
Updated:2017-08-25 16:55:02

On August 28, there will embrace Chinese Valentine's Day (“Qi Xi” in Chinese), also named The Double Seventh Festival (“七夕节”) or Magpie Festival(“乞巧节”).photo from Photo.rednet.cn by photographer“稀里马哈”)

Coincidentally, the 7th Changsha Hot-air Balloon Festival kicks off to boost romantic love until August 31 at the new International Convention Center nearby Guangda Station of Changsha metro Line 1. (photo from Photo.rednet.cn by photographer“稀里马哈”)

The Double Seventh Festival, on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, is a traditional Chinese festival full of romance. It often goes into August in the Gregorian calendar. Behind the festival, there goes a romantic love legend about the Cowherd (“牛郎”) and Weaver Maid (“织女”) passed down from generation to generation.(photo from Photo.rednet.cn by photographer“稀里马哈”)

The beautiful love story about the Cowherd and Weaver Maid (photo from WeChat ID: "威海城市人家")

  The Cowherd and Weaver Maid Fall in Love:

  Long, long ago, there was an honest and kind-hearted fellow named Niu Lang (Cowhand). His parents died when he was a child. Later he was driven out of his home by his sister-in-law. So he lived by himself herding cattle and farming. One day, a fairy from heaven Zhi Nu (Weaver Maid) fell in love with him and came down secretly to earth and married him. The cowhand farmed in the field and the Weaver Maid wove at home. They lived a happy life and gave birth to a boy and a girl. Unfortunately, the God of Heaven soon found out the fact and ordered the Queen Mother of the Western Heavens to bring the Weaver Maid back.

  The Cowherd and Weaver Maid Separate but Reunite on Qi Xi Festival

  With the help of celestial cattle, the Cowhand flew to heaven with his son and daughter. At the time when he was about to catch up with his wife, the Queen Mother took off one of her gold hairpins and made a stroke. One billowy river appeared in front of the Cowhand. The Cowhand and Weaver Maid were separated on the two banks forever and could only feel their tears. Their loyalty to love touched magpies, so tens of thousands of magpies came to build a bridge for the Cowhand and Weaver Maid to meet each other. The Queen Mother was eventually moved and allowed them to meet each year on the 7th of the 7th lunar month. Hence their meeting date has been called "Qi Xi" (Double Seventh).

  Chinese Tradition on Qi Xi Festival

  Today some traditional customs are still observed in rural areas of China, but have been weakened or diluted in urban cities. However, the legend of the Cowhand and Weaver Maid has taken root in the hearts of the people. In recent years, in particular, urban youths have celebrated it as Valentine's Day in China. As a result, owners of flower shops, bars and stores are full of joy as they sell more commodities for love.