Valentine’s Day in Chinese Culture

七夕节, or Chinese Valentine’s Day, is celebrated on the 7th day on the 7th month in accordance with the Chinese lunar calendar; its translation refers to “Evening of the Sevens Festival.” Contrasting with Western culture, the day is heavily influenced by Chinese folklore and the legend of 織女 and 牛郎.

Qi Xi Festival Myth:

According to ancient legend, 織女 was one of the Jade Emperor’s daughters. She descended to Earth, out of boredom from a mundane life in Heaven, and defied the rules by falling in love with a mortal, 牛郎. The Jade Emperor, the Goddess of Heaven, uncovered the secrecy of 織女’s marriage to a mortal and instantaneously dispatched soldiers to fetch her. The soldiers were prompt and unemotional, leading to the tragic separation of the pair. 牛郎 carried him and his two children to Heaven to search for his wife, out of desperation to mend his broken heart. The Goddess of Heaven, was made aware of the situation, and upon his arrival, she fabricated a river, known as the Milky Way, to enforce distance between the couple for eternity.

However, inspired by the couple’s love, magpies form a bridge over the celestial river on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month to provide haven for the couple to meet. After witnessing the love harnessed by the couple, the Goddess of Heaven relents, and allows lovers to meet atop the “Magpie Bridge” each calendar year.

Date:

According to the Western calendar, QiXi falls on August 22, 2023.

Customs:

Similarly to Western Valentine’s Day, couples express their love for one another in a series of meaningful gatherings, meals, gifts, and quality time together. Aligning with the folklore, it is common for couples to gaze at the starry night together, imagining 織女 and 牛郎 on the Magpie Bridge, as an inspiration for love everywhere. It is typical to bake and consume 巧果, a sweet pastry delicacy filled with custards. The character 巧 is pronounced similarly to 桥, meaning “bridge.” Every custom celebrated is in commemoration of the legend, as 巧 also represents “skillful.” It is believed that women consuming these sweets will become bright, skillful, and wise by the grace of 織女.

Valentine’s Day 情人节:

The more literal version of Western Valentine’s Day is 情人节, which is less widely celebrated in China. This holiday gears more towards the younger generation, with women commonly gifting men chocolates, symbolic of their love and appreciation. Men are expected to return to favor one month following Valentine’s Day.

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