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Introduction to the Double Seventh FestivalThe Double Seventh Festival, also ...

Introduction to the Double Seventh FestivalThe Double Seventh Festival, also known as the Qixi Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival that falls on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar. It is one of the most romantic festivals in Chinese culture, often associated with love and marriage.Origin and LegendsThe origin of the Double Seventh Festival can be traced back to ancient China, when people believed that on this day, the magpie birds would form a bridge across the Milky Way to allow the Cowherd (known as Niu Lang in Chinese mythology) and the Weaver Girl (known as Zhi Nü) to meet each other. This legend is based on the ancient Chinese story of "The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl," which tells the tale of two lovers who were separated by the gods and could only meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month.In this story, Niu Lang is a poor cowherd who is forbidden to marry by his abusive brother-in-law. One day, he saves a weak and starving girl named Zhi Nü, who is actually a fairy from heaven. They fall in love and marry secretly, but their marriage is discovered by the gods. As a punishment, the gods separate them, turning Zhi Nü into a weaver girl and banishing her to the other side of the Milky Way. Niu Lang is turned into a cow and placed under the care of an old herder.However, their love is so strong that it moves the magpie birds, who decide to help them reunite. On the seventh day of the seventh month, the magpies form a bridge across the Milky Way, allowing Niu Lang and Zhi Nü to meet each other again. The gods are so impressed by their love that they agree to let them meet once a year on this day.Customs and RitualsThe Double Seventh Festival is celebrated with a variety of customs and rituals that reflect the legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. One of the most popular customs is the "listening to the whisperings of the magpies," which involves sitting outside at night and listening to the sounds of the magpies as they gather to form the bridge. It is believed that on this night, people can hear the whispers of the magpies as they discuss the love story of Niu Lang and Zhi Nü.Another common custom is the practice of "needle work competition," which was originally a way for young women to show their skills in embroidery. It is said that on the night of the Double Seventh Festival, the Weaver Girl herself comes down to the mortal world to participate in the competition, so the girls try to create the most beautiful and intricate embroideries in hopes of impressing her.In some regions, people also offer incense and prayers to the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, asking for good luck in love and marriage. Others may light lanterns or write their wishes for love and happiness on paper and tie them to bamboo branches. These lanterns are then released into the sky, carrying the wishes with them.Modern CelebrationsWhile the traditional customs and legends of the Double Seventh Festival are still widely celebrated in China, the festival has also evolved to include more modern celebrations. In recent years, the Double Seventh Festival has become associated with Valentine's Day in many parts of the world, as it is seen as a day for expressing love and affection.In China, the festival is now often celebrated with romantic activities such as gift giving, dining out, and watching movies together. Many young people also use this opportunity to confess their love to someone special. Merchants capitalize on this romantic atmosphere by offering special discounts and promotions related to love and relationships.ConclusionThe Double Seventh Festival is not only a celebration of love and marriage but also a testament to the power of legends and traditions in Chinese culture. It reminds us of the beauty and resilience of love, even in the face of adversity. As the festival continues to evolve and adapt to modern times, it remains a significant cultural marker that is deeply rooted in the hearts of the Chinese people.