Double Seventh Festival

The Double Seventh Festival, which is also known as Qixi Festival falls on the 7th day of the 7th Chinese lunar month. It is also considered the Valentine’s Day as it is a very important day for the Chinese girls. The festival is bequeath with great romance because of the legend about Niu Lang and Zhi Nu. Nu Lang was a cowboy with a kind heart but was driven out of his home by his brother. He took care of a sick cow from heaven, who later introduced him to Zhi Nu, a fairy. They fell in love with each other and married. They were magically given a boy and a girl. However, their marriage was forbidden and Zhi Nu was taken back to heaven. Niu Lang managed to fly to heaven together with the two children, with the cow’s help. The Queen of heaven created a river between Zhi Nu and Niu Lang when he was about to reach her. The two of them cried continuously until the Queen was moved and allowed them to meet once a year, only on the 7th day of the 7th Chinese lunar month. The Double Seventh Festival has been celebrated since the Han Dynasty.