China’s Valentine’s Day – Qixi Festival

In China, on the night of the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the air is fragrant, and the Milky Way stretches across the sky. Ancient people looked up at the stars and noticed two bright stars facing each other across the Milky Way: one called Altair (the Cowherd Star) and the other Vega (the Weaver Girl Star). From this celestial observation, a timeless love story was born.

The Romantic Legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl

Long ago, Niulang (the Cowherd) was a hardworking and kind young man, while Zhinü (the Weaver Girl) was the emperor’s daughter, intelligent and beautiful. They met, fell deeply in love, and lived a simple yet warm life together. But the Jade Emperor became furious and separated them, allowing them to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, when a flock of magpies would form a “bridge” across the Milky Way.

The long wait across the galaxy and their yearly reunion symbolize the most romantic vision in Chinese culture. This is the origin of the Qixi Festival, often called China’s Valentine’s Day.

Alternative Names and Customs of Qixi

The Qixi Festival is rich in cultural meaning and has many names:

• Qiqiao Festival (Qǐqiǎo Jié) – Girls pray for skill and wisdom;
• Daughters’ Festival (Nǚ’ér Jié) – Traditionally for young women;
• Double Seven Festival / Seventh Sister Festival (Qīqiǎo Jié / Qījiě Jié) – Associated with the Weaver Girl, highlighting women’s skills and devotion;
• Gathering of the Seventh Maiden / Night of Skills (Qīniáng Huì / Qiǎoxī) – Local gatherings and folk celebrations.

Ancient customs on Qixi included:

• Threading needles under moonlight (Chuan Zhen Qiqiao) – to pray for dexterity;
• Worshipping the Weaver Girl (Bai Zhinü) – wishing to be wise and capable;
• Watching spiders (Xi Zhu Ying Qiao) – spiders on webs were considered a good omen;
• Eating Qiao cakes (Chi Qiao Guo) – symbolizing sweetness and harmony;
• Exposing books and clothes (Shai Shu Shai Yi) – representing wisdom and purity.

These traditions not only reflect romantic love but also express hopes for a fulfilling and skillful life.

Qixi in Chinese Language

For Chinese learners, Qixi is a “cultural code”:
七 (qī) – the number seven, sounds like qī “period” (commitment), qī “wife” (love), and jí “good fortune” (luck);
夕 (xī) – evening or dusk, evoking a romantic meeting under the stars;

Through Qixi, you can discover how sounds and meanings in Chinese are cleverly connected and gain a deeper appreciation for the culture behind the characters.

History and Tradition

Qixi originates from star worship, with mentions as early as the Book of Songs (Shijing). During the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Xijing Zaji first recorded the custom of “threading seven holes.” By the Tang and Song dynasties, Qixi had become a major festival celebrated by both the court and common people. Countless poets immortalized the festival in verse, blending literature and daily life into a romantic tradition.

Today, Qixi is not only a day for young couples to express love but also a symbol of Chinese culture reaching the world. In 2006, Qixi was listed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, becoming a global window into Chinese traditions.

Learn Chinese and Feel the Romance of Qixi

In our classes, you will learn:
Chinese: 七夕节是中国的情人节。
Pinyin: Qīxī Jié shì Zhōngguó de qíngrén jié.
English: The Qixi Festival is the Chinese Valentine’s Day.

You will also discover:
牛郎织女 (Niúláng Zhīnǚ) – not just mythical figures, but symbols of devoted love;
乞巧 (qǐqiǎo) – more than a festival custom, a pursuit of skill and happiness.

Conclusion

Qixi has many names: Qixi, Qiqiao Festival, Daughters’ Festival, Double Seven Festival, Seventh Sister Festival, Gathering of the Seventh Maiden, Night of Skills… Regardless of the name, it embodies the Chinese yearning for love, happiness, and reunion.

Qixi teaches us that true romance is not about extravagance but about waiting and devotion across time and space. Learning Chinese is similar—you can start building your bridge to the language today.

Join RPLschool’s Chinese courses and let the romance of Qixi be your first lesson in learning Chinese.

Qixi Festival Names – Comparison Table