Qixi Festival in China 2023: Date, History, Facts, Events

This year, the Qixi Festival will be held on August 22. This is a Chinese holiday honoured on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. As it is based on an ancient romantic fable about two lovers, Zhinü and Niulang, who were respectively a weaver girl and a cowherd, the Qixi Festival is also commonly referred to as the Chinese “Valentine’s Day.”
People commemorate Valentine’s Day by purchasing gifts for their spouses and romantic partners. The Chinese also observe the holiday by adhering to a variety of local traditions.

The background of Qixi Festival

The origins of the Qixi Festival lie in ancient Chinese folklore. According to legend, Zhinü, a weaver from heaven, descended to earth and fell in love with Niulang, a mere mortal. Without the knowledge of Zhinü’s mother, the Goddess of Heaven, they married. Zhinü had two beautiful children with Niulang and lived blissfully until her mother discovered her transgressions, became enraged, and dispatched soldiers to retrieve her. Zhinü has returned to Heaven.

Later, Niulang attempted to rescue his wife, but the Goddess of Heaven constructed a massive river with her hairpin, believing she had permanently separated the couple. However, the affection between Niulang and Zhinü was stronger than she anticipated. It so moved the magpies that they ascended to Heaven to build a bridge across the river.

The Qixi Festival began when the Goddess of Heaven, seeing the love between her offspring and a mortal man, permitted the lovers to meet on the magpie bridge on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month every year.

According to various Chinese beliefs, the river symbolises the Milky Way, while Zhinü and Niulang represent the constellations Vega and Altair. During the Han Dynasty, over 2,600 years ago, the festival was first recognised as a formal event. Although it sounds romantic, the festival was originally intended for young women to venerate the weaving fairy and practise their handicraft skills.

In modern times, however, people commemorate the holiday by exchanging chocolates, flowers, and jewellery instead of adhering to older traditions.

QIXI FESTIVALS EVENTS

Observe a traditional practise

For the Qixi Festival, the Chinese traditionally prepare ‘qiaoguo’ or ‘fried, thin pastries’ in various configurations. To commemorate the holiday, you could surprise your partner with a platter of qiaoguo in the shape of a heart.

Give your beloved a present.

If you wish to keep things straightforward, you can purchase your sweetheart something they adore. It could be a bouquet of flowers, a playlist of their favourite songs, or their preferred cuisine. A modest effort can have a significant impact!

Spend time with your significant other

There is no greater present for a loved one than your time. Spend time making your partner feel special. Plan a candlelight dinner, watch a movie, or perhaps do both in the comfort of your home.

5 Interesting Qixi Festival Facts

During the Qixi Festival, unmarried women pray for a spouse while married women pray for children.

It is believed that the Qixi Festival inspired the Chilseok Festival in Korea, the That Tich Festival in Vietnam, and the Tanabata Festival in Japan.

During the Qixi Festival, young Chinese women begin training in handicrafts such as weaving, embroidery, etc.

During the Qixi Festival, the Chinese decorate their residences with flowers and buffalo wards to ward off evil.

In different regions of China, the festival is celebrated according to various customs.

QIXI FESTIVAL DATES

Year	Date	Day
2022	August 4	Thursday
2023	August 22	Tuesday
2024	August 10	Saturday
2025	August 29	Friday
2026	August 19	Wednesday