Qi Xi — lovers' holiday in China (04/08)

Qi Xi Festival (Chinese ex. ⁇ ⁇ ) — is one of the most romantic traditional Chinese holidays. It is celebrated on the evening of the 7th day of the 7th month according to the traditional Lunar calendar. Hence another name for this holiday — Double Seven Festival.

The Qi Xi holiday is closely related to the legend of the Shepherd and Weaver — by a touching love story that has survived to this day since time immemorial. During the Song Dynasty (960—1279) and Yuan Dynasty (1206—1368), noisy fairs were held in the capital, where special gifts and items were sold for the Qi Xi holiday.

In ancient times, Qi Xi was one of the most beloved holidays. Nowadays, Chinese villages still have some traditions of the Qi Xi holiday, but in cities many customs have already lost their flavor or completely disappeared.

In recent years, the Qi Xi holiday has been very popular among urban youth, who celebrate it as Valentine's Day.

During this holiday, Chinese girls wonder: when the star Vega rises high in the sky, they need to put a needle on the surface of the water, and if she does not drown, then the girl is ready to find her husband. Girls can make any wish on this day, but they say that there is only one per year.

Japan celebrates a similar holiday, the — Tanabata Festival.

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