(Cory) Huang Xiadong
Qixi Festival
Today is Qixi(七夕) Festival in China. This festival is also celebrated in Korea and Vietnam at the same day, the 7th day of the 7th month by the lunar calendar. In Korean its name is 칠석(七夕)and in Vietnamese Thất Tịch(七夕). Japan celebrates it too but on 7th July according to the Gregorian calendar. Its Japanese name is 七夕(しちせき/たなばた). It's said that in ancient times the daughter of the Emperor of Heaven fell in love with and married a human being who was a cowherd. The Emperor of Heaven was furious and separated the couple by force. They was permitted to meet once a year on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month. On that day magpies would form a bridge for the couple. In the old days, this festival was exclusively for young and unmarried female. They celebrated it with their friends and took part in needlework competition. In the recent decades, it has turned into the Chinese Valentine's Day. But in a village in the vicinity of Guangzhou, the female residents still preserve the tradition. If you are interestedin that, you can click the link in the comment and see the pictures in my friend's observation, though the article is in Chinese.(I've put this writing in the Note part in italki but I think it would have more fun if I repost it here for discussion)
Aug 25, 2020 4:38 PM