What is the Qixi Festival? The significance of the Qixi Festival in Vietnam

In some East Asian countries like Vietnam and China, the 7th day of the 7th lunar month is celebrated as the Qixi Festival, the day of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, or the day when they reunite.

What is the Qixi Festival?

The Qixi Festival, also known as the Eastern Valentine’s Day, is a celebration of love in Asia. The Qixi Festival is closely associated with the legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.

The Legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl:

Once upon a time, there was a young cowherd named Niulang (meaning Cowherd). Niulang was orphaned at a young age and lived with his older brother. Despite being honest, kind, and hardworking, he was mistreated and eventually driven out by his sister-in-law.

Niulang lived alone on a hill with his cow. One day, while taking the cow to the fields, he unexpectedly saw seven fairies bathing and playing in a nearby lake. All seven fairies were beautiful, but Niulang couldn’t take his eyes off the youngest fairy.

Suddenly, Niulang heard his cow speak: “She is the youngest daughter of the Jade Emperor, named Zhinu. If you take her clothes, she won’t be able to return and will live with you.” Niulang, seeing this, followed the cow’s advice and secretly hid the fairy’s clothes.

When the fairies were about to fly back to heaven, Zhinu searched desperately for her clothes but couldn’t find them. Fearing she would be late returning to the Heavenly Realm, her sisters sadly left her behind. Alone, Zhinu searched, feeling hopeless and began to cry.

Niulang felt remorse for making Zhinu cry and stepped out from behind the bushes to return her clothes. He also honestly confessed that he was overwhelmed by her beauty and asked to marry her.

Zhinu saw Niulang as a kind, charming, sincere, and well-meaning young man, so she agreed to stay with him since she could no longer return to the Heavenly Realm. Niulang and Zhinu lived happily together, with Niulang tending the cow and farming while Zhinu stayed at home sewing and weaving.

Before long, they had two lovely children, a boy and a girl, and their small family’s life went on peacefully. Time flew by, but for the Heavenly Realm, it was just a short period.

The Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother discovered that their youngest daughter was missing. The Queen Mother was furious to learn that Zhinu had violated heavenly law by staying in the mortal world and marrying a commoner. She sent celestial soldiers to bring Zhinu back.

Niulang’s cow learned of this and warned him about what was about to happen and reminded him to use its hide to cover himself, allowing him and the children to fly to heaven.

After saying this, the cow passed away. Heartbroken, Niulang followed the cow’s advice, skinned it, and buried the body at the base of a tree near his home. Just as Niulang returned home, the sky suddenly darkened, and the wind began to howl. The celestial soldiers appeared, storming into the house and taking Zhinu away.

Knowing she could not escape, Zhinu turned back and tearfully said goodbye to her husband and children. Remembering the cow’s advice, Niulang quickly donned the cow’s hide, placed the two children in baskets, and carried them on his shoulders as he ran after Zhinu.

He tried to run as fast as he could, but just as he reached out to grab his wife, the Queen Mother pulled out her hairpin and drew a line to separate them. Instantly, a great river was formed, dividing them.

This river later became known as the Milky Way. From then on, Niulang and Zhinu were separated on either side of the river. Zhinu was on one side, while Niulang and their two children stood on the other. Day by day, tears flowed as they gazed longingly at each other across the river, where their loved ones were.

Eventually, the Queen Mother was moved by their unwavering love and agreed to let them meet once a year. This is on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month. On this night each year, a large flock of crows flies to the sky, forming a bridge with their bodies across the divine river, known as the Bridge of Magpies.

Only on this night can Niulang and Zhinu cross the Milky Way to be together. The Qixi Festival occurs in the midst of summer when the weather is warm and the greenery is lush. If you listen closely, you can hear the whispers of Niulang and Zhinu expressing their love after such a long separation.

The Qixi Festival, where Niulang and Zhinu cross the Bridge of Magpies to meet.

Why does it rain on Qixi?

Although the Queen Mother allows them to meet, they can only reunite once a year, and their time together is not long. Each time they meet, Zhinu often brings tears of longing and unspoken emotions. Her tears fall to the mortal realm, creating the “rain of magpies.” Therefore, every year on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, it always rains.

Are there Qixi Festivals without rain?

According to ancient beliefs, it is expected that it will rain, and sometimes heavily, on Qixi. However, it is a fact that not every Qixi Festival has rain; some years it may be sunny. During such times, young couples often enjoy stargazing and doing their favorite activities on this special day.

The significance of Qixi Festival in China

The Qixi Festival in Chinese is 七夕节 / Qīxì jié /. Additionally, this festival in China can be referred to by many other names, such as:

• Qiqiao Festival (乞巧節): A festival to showcase skills.
• Qijie Celebration (七姐誕): The birthday of the seventh sister.
• Xiaoqi (巧夕): A day when couples give each other red bean necklaces symbolizing eternal love.

Whenever the Qixi Festival arrives in China, women pray for their partners to be skilled on the night of the 7th day of the 7th lunar month. On this day, young girls often display their artistic creations to wish for a good husband.

The Qixi Festival in China (Source: Internet).

On this festival day, people in China commonly eat popular dishes like dumplings, noodles, chicken, and red bean soup, hoping to become more nimble and skillful, especially enhancing girls’ embroidery skills.

The significance of Qixi Festival in Vietnam

In Vietnam, the Qixi Festival is also known as the day of “Mr. Ngau and Mrs. Ngau.” Couples often visit temples to pray and wish for lasting love and fidelity.

On this day, it often rains, referred to as magpie rain, which is said to be the tears of Niulang and Zhinu when they meet. There’s a saying: “It is said that in July, magpie rain falls, the heavens take the cowherd with much sorrow.”

If it doesn’t rain, couples often gaze at the stars of Niulang and Zhinu and make vows. On the night of Qixi, the star of Zhinu shines exceptionally bright.

People believe that if two lovers gaze at the Niulang – Zhinu stars together on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, they will be together forever.

In Hanoi, on this day, young people often flock to Ha Temple to pray for love. The temple is a popular place for love prayers due to its reputed divine responsiveness and its connection to the Ly dynasty legend.

King Ly Thanh Tong (1054 – 1072) was 42 years old and still childless, so he prayed for a child at a temple, resulting in the birth of Prince Can Duc. Hence, this temple is called the Holy Lord Temple to commemorate this event.

The Qixi Festival in South Korea

The Qixi Festival in Korean culture is also known as Chilseok, which has quite different meanings and activities compared to Chinese culture. Chilseok falls around the time when the hot weather subsides and the rainy season begins; the rain on this day is called Chilseok water. Pumpkins, cucumbers, and watermelons begin to thrive during this time, so they are widely used in the festival.

During the Chilseok festival, Koreans bathe with the hope of bringing good health. Additionally, they eat noodles and baked goods. Chilseok is known as a festival to enjoy wheat-based foods because after this festival, the cold winds can ruin the flavor of wheat.

The Japanese Star Festival

The Star Festival in Japan, known as Tanabata, celebrates the meeting of Orihime (the Weaver Star) and Hikoboshi (the Cowherd Star). On this day, in addition to visiting shrines to pray for love, the Japanese often decorate bamboo branches in front of their homes and write their wishes on small pieces of paper, which they then attach to the bamboo. They wish for skilled hands and bountiful harvests.

Eating Red Beans on the Star Festival for Love

Eating red beans on the Star Festival is synonymous with seeking love.

Due to the special significance of the Star Festival and the love story of Orihime and Hikoboshi, many believe that July 7 in the lunar calendar is a day to pray for romantic relationships. Couples often visit temples to perform rituals and wish for a lasting and happy relationship.

Additionally, on the Star Festival, eating red beans is also seen as a way to attract love.

In many cultures, red beans are considered lucky because their red color symbolizes good fortune, joy, and happiness. According to legend, those who eat red beans on this day will quickly find their soulmate if they are single, and if they are already in a relationship, they will enjoy a long-lasting bond.

For this reason, every year on July 7 in the lunar calendar, whether single or in a relationship, people eagerly consume red bean dessert to enhance their romantic prospects.

Is it Bad Luck to Eat Black Bean Dessert on the Star Festival?

According to folk beliefs, eating black bean dessert is thought to drive away love. While consuming red beans is believed to bring about a fulfilling relationship, it’s said that if it rains on this day, eating red beans will lead to desired romantic outcomes, as rain signifies the successful weaving of the celestial bridge for Orihime and Hikoboshi to meet.

What to Do and Not Do on the Star Festival?

The Star Festival holds profound spiritual significance; therefore, according to folklore, if you wish for a smooth romantic journey, you should avoid the following taboos:

Avoid Getting Married

Based on the story of Orihime and Hikoboshi, July 7 in the lunar calendar each year is the day they can reunite after a long wait, but they can only be together for one day before being separated for another year. Thus, it is believed that this is an unlucky day, unsuitable for weddings.

Avoid Building or Renovating Homes

From a spiritual perspective, the seventh lunar month is known as the “month of wandering souls,” during which spirits may freely return to the human world, making it an unsuitable time for construction, as it could lead to accidents or mistakes. Practically, July 7 in the lunar calendar often experiences rainy weather, hindering construction activities.

Avoid Committing Evil Deeds

Not just on the Star Festival, but generally, it’s advisable for everyone to avoid wrongdoing. Especially on this day, abstaining from bad deeds is believed to help you pray for peace and luck in love. Moreover, this is a way to create a positive impression on your loved one.

This year’s Star Festival will be on Saturday, August 10, 2024.

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