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Why Does it Often Rain on the Seventh of July (Qixi Festival)? What Does Science Say About This Phenomenon?

The Seventh Eve, or Thất Tịch, is a romantic festival with a legendary tale. It is often associated with the tearful reunion of the star-crossed lovers, Ngưu Lang and Chức Nữ. This enchanting tale of forbidden love has led to the belief that the Seventh Eve is a day of weeping rains, a time when the heavens themselves weep for the separated lovers.

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9 August, 2024

The Seventh Night Festival, or Thất Tịch, falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month each year. Legend has it that this is the day when Ngưu Lang (the cowherd) and Chức Nữ (the weaver girl) reunite after a year of separation.

In East Asian culture, the Seventh Night Festival is considered a romantic holiday. It is said that the day is often marked by rain.

Why does it rain on the Seventh Night Festival?

According to the legend, it is the day when the cowherd and the weaver girl meet. Their tears of joy at seeing each other, only to be followed by the sorrow of imminent separation, fall as rain. The couple is only allowed to meet once a year, and on this day, crows form a bridge, called Ô Thước, to help them cross the Milky Way and be together.

Cowherd and Weaver Girl's tears represented by<a href='https://meo.tips/beauty/the-ultimate-guide-to-buying-the-perfect-lens-for-a-natural-bigger-eye-look/' rel='dofollow' class='onpage-seo' > rain</a>“><figcaption>
<h2>The rain symbolizes the tears of the separated couple.</h2>
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<p>Thus, according to the legend, the rain on the Seventh Night Festival represents the bittersweet tears of the couple as they meet and then part ways once more for another long year. This rain, formed from their tears of love, happiness, and sorrow, is called <i>mưa ngâu</i> (“ngâu” being a variation of the word “ngưu,” meaning “cow”).</p>
<p>From a scientific perspective, the seventh day of the seventh lunar month often falls during the summer or the transition from summer to autumn in many parts of Asia. This period is characterized by sudden thunderstorms. In summer, rapid evaporation forms large clouds, and when the humidity reaches saturation point, it results in rain. Additionally, the days around the change of seasons tend to experience heavier rainfall due to the collision of warm and cold air masses.</p>
<p>Folk wisdom also suggests that the seventh lunar month is typically a rainy period. There’s a saying, “Vào mùng 3, ra mùng 7” (“In on the 3rd, out on the 7th”), indicating that rain is expected from the 3rd to the 7th, from the 13th to the 17th, and/or from the 23rd to the 27th of the lunar month. The characteristic feature of the “mưa ngâu” in the seventh lunar month is that it tends to be sporadic, with light showers and varying intensity from day to day.</p>
<p><strong>Does it rain every year on the Seventh Night Festival?</strong></p>
<p>In recent years, there have been occasions when it did not rain on the Seventh Night Festival. The “mưa ngâu” may arrive later or not at all on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month.</p>
<p>On dry Seventh Night Festivals, the stars representing the cowherd and the weaver girl shine brightly in the sky. Lovers can point to these stars and make wishes, believing that their love will endure despite any obstacles they may face.</p>
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<img decoding= — Red bean dessert, believed to bring good luck in love.

It is said that if two people in love gaze upon the stars of the cowherd and the weaver girl together on this night, their love will be forever fulfilled.

Celebrating Love on the Seventh Night Festival:

– Eat red bean dessert for good luck in love: Single people eat this dessert in the hope of finding their soulmate, while couples consume it to strengthen their bond.

– Visit temples for love blessings: Many people flock to temples renowned for granting wishes for happy and fortunate marriages.

– Exchange gifts with loved ones: This gesture symbolizes your commitment and desire to stay together for the long haul.

Despite being a festival celebrating love, the Seventh Night is considered inauspicious for weddings. The tragic love story of the cowherd and the weaver girl, who are only allowed to meet briefly once a year, casts a somber tone on the day. No one wants their marriage to face similar challenges and tears of separation. Additionally, the seventh lunar month, with its frequent rains, is generally not considered an ideal time for major life events like weddings or house construction.

Frequently asked questions

The convergence of two air currents, one from the Indian Ocean and the other from the Bay of Bengal, brings about rainy weather in this region around the time of the Qixi Festival. This phenomenon is further influenced by the orographic effect, where the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau force the air to rise and cool, forming clouds and resulting in precipitation.

The scientific explanation lies in the monsoon climate of East Asia. The meeting of the two air currents mentioned above, along with the orographic effect, creates a stable weather pattern that brings rainfall to the region during the summer months, often coinciding with the Qixi Festival.

In Chinese culture, rain on Qixi is considered a blessing and a symbol of love and romance. The legend of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl, which the festival celebrates, includes a tale of their tears of sadness creating the rain. So, the rain is seen as a romantic gesture and a sign of their love.

Yes, the rain during this period has been noted and referenced in Chinese literature and art for centuries. It has inspired poems, paintings, and even influenced traditional customs and beliefs surrounding love and marriage.

While it is a common occurrence, the specific weather conditions can vary from year to year. However, the overall climate patterns in East Asia make rainfall during this time of year a likely and expected event.