How to Celebrate Chinese Valentines Day

Qi Qiao Jie is the Chinese day of love, much like Valentines Day. This special holiday is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month in the Chinese lunar calendar. Follow these steps to learn how to celebrate Qi Qiao Jie, the Chinese Valentines Day with your sweetheart.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Learn the date for the upcoming Qi Qiao Jie. It is usually in August and is always the seventh day of the seventh month in the Chinese lunar calendar. Find the Chinese lunar calendar on the China Page website
2. Know the history of Qi Qiao Jie. There are various legends associated with the origins of Chinese Valentine's Day. Some involve the seven daughters of the Goddess of Heaven catching the eye of a Cowherd during a visit to earth. Other legends involve a fairy named Zhinu. The couple is separated and Qi Qiao Jie is the day when magpies come in flocks to form a bridge spanning the galaxy with their bodies so the couple can reunite.
3. Celebrate in a traditional fashion. Young girls display needlework, make paper flowers, burn incense and make fruit offerings to the night sky. People cook horsebeans and share with their neighbors as it is also considered a holiday of friendship.
4. Enjoy the holiday in a modern way. This day of love is now celebrated in a similar fashion to Valentines day. It is a day of flowers, marriage, romance and gifts such as rings.
5. Create a fairyland of lights. This is another old tradition of Qi Qiao Jie to welcome the fairy back to earth to meet her cowherd lover.
6. Stargaze and wish on the Vega star. In China, this is the one day of the year when young girls get one wish from the Vega star. A common wish is for a good husband. Find the Vega star on the Solstation website.