Valentines Day in China does not involve exchanging flowers and kisses as it does in the west. Instead, the Chinese Valentines day is celebrated in a very traditional way every year. Also known as Qi Qiao Jie, the Chinese Valentines' Day is celebrated on the seventh eve of the seventh month of the Chinese Lunar calendar. There are a few legends surrounding the origin of Chinese Valentines Day. Read further to know about these interesting folklores.
The first legend says that a cowherd, Niu Lang, saw the seven daughters of Goddess of Heaven during one of their visits to earth. He decided to have a bit of fun by running off with their clothing, while the daughters were bathing in a river. It fell upon the youngest and prettiest daughter Zhi Nu to ask him to return their clothes. They fell in love and married. The couple lived happily for a number of years. However, the Goddess of Heaven started to miss her daughter's presence, and instructed her to come back to Heaven. They were however allowed to meet once a year for the Goddess of Heaven couldn't see her daughter in a pitiable condition as she was separated from her lover. Thus, every year on the seventh night of the seventh moon, magpies came together to make bridge with their wings for Zhi Nu to cross and go to her husband Niu Lang.
Another legend is that Niu Lang and Zhi Nu were 2 pixies living on opposite sides of the Milky Way galaxy. The Emperor of Heaven keenly tried to bring them together as he felt sorry for the two lonely fairies. He accomplished the task a bit too well - Niu Lang and Zhi Nu became so mesmerized with each other that they discarded their work. Infuriated, the Emperor announced that the couple could only meet once a year i.e. on the seventh night of the seventh moon. On this day, star gazers in China celebrate Qi Qiao Jie by looking up at the east of Milky Way which represents Zhi Nu, and on the west side of the Milky Way, where Niu Lang waits for his beloved to unite with him. Chinese girls arrange fruits and incense stick as offerings to Zhi Nu, hoping to find suitable husbands.
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