The famous Chinese Qixi Festival is celebrated every year by Chinese people all over the globe. This year, we celebrate the Qixi Festival 2024 on Saturday, August 10, 2024. It is also known as the Qiqiao Festival. The Qixi Festival, dubbed as Chinese Valentine's Day by westerners, is a traditional Chinese celebration that is dedicated to love and romance. This festival has been observed for over 2,000 years. Every year, it takes place on the seventh day of the seventh month according to the lunar calendar, which is why it is also called the Double Seventh Festival. The Qixi Festival has deep roots in Chinese culture and it dates back to a legendary romantic story from the Han dynasty. The festival, much like the western celebration of Valentine’s Day, is a time for couples to express their love and affection for each other by showering each other with flowers, romantic gestures, and gifts. As we gear up to celebrate Qixi Festival 2024, let’s learn about its history and significance. Qixi Festival, or the Night of the Sevens, is Observed Every Year on the Seventh Day.

Qixi Festival 2024 Date

Qixi Festival 2024 will be celebrated on Saturday, August 10, 2024.

Qixi Festival History

Much like the star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet, the history behind the Qixi Festival also involves two star-crossed lovers. Its history centres around Zhinu, the weaver girl, and Niulang, a humble cowherd. Zhinu, who is represented by the star Vega, is the daughter of the emperor of heaven. Even though Zhinu has a divine status, she falls in love with Niulang, who is symbolised by the star Altair, when she is given the opportunity to visit earth. The couple married and had children together. However, when the emperor finds out about the relationship, he forces her to return to heaven. He forcibly brings her back, separating her from Niulang. Niulang attempts to reunite with her, but his path gets blocked by a huge river that the emperor casts down between earth and heaven to keep them apart. But their sadness moved the deities, who let magpies fly to heaven and make a bridge across the river so the lovers could meet. Legend has it that Zhinu and Niulang can only meet once a year on this bridge, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month.

Qixi Festival Significance

The Qixi Festival is a celebration of the love between Zhinu and Niulang. It honours their sacrifice and hope. In Chinese culture, this festival has deep romantic and cultural significance. Over time, it has become an occasion for couples to express their love and devotion to each other. The Qixi Festival encourages people to form meaningful connections and recognises the enduring power of love and human bonds. Chinese Valentine's Day Gift? Woman Sends 1000 Kgs Onions to Cheating Ex To Make Him Cry! (View Pic).

This Qixi 2024, may we not just honour the timeless love of Zhinu and Niulang but also take care of our own relationships and connections and celebrate the power of love in our lives. On that note, here’s wishing everyone a very happy Qixi Festival 2024!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 09, 2024 04:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).