qixi

Qixi, also known as the Qixi Festival or the Night of Sevens, is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. The name qi xi translates to “the night of the seventh,” and in modern contexts it is often described as Chinese Valentine’s Day.

The festival stems from a folk tale about Niulang, a cowherd, and Zhinv, a weaver girl. In Chinese astronomy, Zhinv is associated with the star Vega and Niulang with Altair. The lovers are separated by the Milky Way and are allowed to meet only once a year when magpies form a bridge across the celestial river. The legend emphasizes themes of love, longing, and fidelity and has long influenced cultural practices surrounding the night.

Historically, Qixi included rituals connected to weaving, embroidery, and offerings to deities associated with crafts and agriculture. Girls were sometimes encouraged to demonstrate needlework and household skills, while households prepared foods and offerings. Over time, the festival has become more closely associated with romance and dating, and many people exchange gifts, write love poetry, or participate in matchmaking-themed activities. The festival also appears in broader East Asian cultural context and influenced similar celebrations such as Tanabata in Japan, which draws on the same legend but follows different customs and dates.

Modern observance varies by region. In mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, Qixi is widely recognized as a romantic holiday and is marked by consumer promotions, cultural events, and couples’ activities. The date is determined by the lunar calendar, so it shifts each year and typically falls in August or September in the Gregorian calendar.