The Origins of China's Valentine's Day

China's Valentine's Day, also known as Qixi Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday that falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. It is a day for lovers to express their love and devotion to one another, and has been celebrated for over 2,000 years.

The origins of China's Valentine's Day can be traced back to a popular folk tale about two star-crossed lovers, Zhinü and Niulang. According to legend, Zhinü was a fairy who lived in the heavens, while Niulang was a poor cowherd on earth. The two fell deeply in love and were married, but their happiness was short-lived as the goddess of heaven, Zhinü's mother, disapproved of their union and separated them by creating a river of stars between them.

Heartbroken, the two lovers were eventually reunited once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, when a flock of magpies would form a bridge across the river of stars, allowing them to be together for a single night.

Over time, the story of Zhinü and Niulang became a symbol of true love and devotion, and the seventh day of the seventh lunar month became known as Qixi Festival, or China's Valentine's Day.

Today, Qixi Festival is celebrated in various ways across China. Young couples exchange gifts and go on romantic dates, while older couples take the opportunity to renew their vows and reaffirm their love for one another. The festival is also marked by traditional activities such as making wishes for love and happiness, and floating colorful lanterns on rivers and lakes.

Despite its ancient origins, Qixi Festival continues to be a beloved holiday in China, reminding us all of the enduring power of love and the importance of cherishing those we hold dear.