According to folklore, the Qixi Festival is always marked by rain, as it is the day when the Cowherd and Weaver Girl meet. But why does it rain on this day? Has there ever been a Qixi Festival without rain? Let’s find out!
1Why does it rain on the Qixi Festival?
The Qixi Festival originates from the poignant love story of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl.
Legend has it that a kind and diligent cowherd, Niulang, once met the beautiful fairy Zhinü, who was the daughter of the Goddess. They fell in love and had a child together. However, one day, Zhinü had to return to heaven, leaving her husband and child behind. Longing for his wife, Niulang and their children set out to find Zhinü. When they reached the Milky Way, being mortals, they could not cross it.
The Qixi Festival stems from the touching tale of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl
Niulang and his children refused to return and waited by the river every day, hoping for a reunion. They eventually transformed into a small and large star, awaiting news of Zhinü.
Moved by Niulang’s devotion, the Goddess allowed the couple to meet once a year on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month. They reunited on a bridge formed by magpies.
Although they were granted this annual meeting, their time together was always brief. Each reunion was filled with Zhinü’s tears of longing and unspoken words. Her tears turned into the rainy season of July, hence, it rains every year on the Qixi Festival, the 7th day of the 7th lunar month.
2What if it doesn’t rain on the Qixi Festival?
In reality, there are usually drizzles on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, and folklore attributes this to the legend of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl. This is the time when the couple is believed to meet.
However, it is essential to understand that this is just a legend to explain why it often rains on the Qixi Festival. It is perfectly normal for there to be years when it doesn’t rain on this day.
When it doesn’t rain, couples often gaze at the stars of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl, making wishes. The constellation of the Weaver Girl shines brightly on Qixi night.
There are usually drizzles on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month
3Activities during the Qixi Festival
On the Qixi Festival, people engage in various activities to commemorate the love story of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl.
Eating red bean porridge for love
Young people often eat red bean porridge to wish for love. The red color of the beans symbolizes good luck, and it is believed that those who eat it will soon find their soulmates.
Eating red bean porridge for love
Visiting temples for blessings
Folklore suggests that visiting temples on the day of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl’s reunion brings blessings and harmony to families.
Visiting temples for blessings
Releasing lanterns
Young couples also enjoy releasing lanterns together. These lanterns symbolize their wishes for a lasting relationship.
Releasing lanterns with your loved one
Giving gifts to loved ones
People also exchange gifts with their loved ones on the Qixi Festival as a way to express their love and appreciation.
Giving gifts to express your love
This article has explained why it rains on the Qixi Festival, addressed the possibility of a rainless Qixi Festival, and highlighted some traditional activities for the occasion. Hopefully, it has provided you with some interesting insights.
Frequently asked questions
The Qixi Festival, or the Seventh Night, is associated with the tragic love story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, Niulang and Zhinü. The folklore goes that the Goddess, moved by Niulang’s devotion, allowed the separated couple to meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. This annual reunion, filled with Zhinü’s tears of longing, coincides with the rainy season of July, thus leading to the belief that the rain is caused by their emotional reunion.
The Qixi Festival is a romantic and poignant celebration, honoring the love between Niulang (the Cowherd) and Zhinü (the Weaver Girl), who, according to legend, are allowed to meet just once a year due to their mortal and immortal statuses. The festival is a time for commemorating their devotion and celebrating love, often with activities like eating red bean porridge for luck in love, visiting temples for family blessings, releasing lanterns with loved ones, and exchanging gifts.
While folklore attributes the rain on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month to the tears of the Weaver Girl, it is important to understand that this is just a legend. In reality, it is normal for there to be years when it doesn’t rain on this day. When that happens, couples often gaze at the stars of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl, making wishes upon their constellation, which shines brightly on Qixi night.
People engage in various romantic and symbolic activities during the Qixi Festival. Eating red bean porridge is a popular tradition, as the red beans symbolize good luck in love. Visiting temples is also common, as it is believed to bring blessings and harmony to families. Young couples often release lanterns together, symbolizing their wishes for a lasting relationship. Additionally, exchanging gifts with loved ones is a way to express love and appreciation during this romantic festival.
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