Love will be in the air this Sunday, as couples across the island celebrate Chinese Valentine's Day (七夕), which is celebrated each year on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar.
The auspicious holiday finds its roots in Chinese folklore. It is based on the story of the Cowherd (牛郎) and the Weaving Damsel (織女), who are incarnations of two stars, Altair and Vega, located far from each other in the Aquila and Lyra constellations, respectively.
One popular version of the story says that the Celestial Ruler married his daughter, the Weaving Damsel, to the Cowherd, and then regretted it. The couple was so infatuated with each other that they began to neglect their duties of making cloth and tending cattle. The Celestial Ruler was upset about the couple's negligence of duties and decided to separate the idle pair, sending them into exile at opposite ends of the galaxy. The couple is allowed to see each other only once a year on Chi-hsi, literally meaning the seventh night of the seventh lunar month.
A beautiful scene usually accompanies the couple's meeting date on Chi-hsi as millions of magpies gather together on this night, forming a bridge across the Milky Way for the Cowherd and the Weaving Damsel to connect to each other.
If it rains on Valentine's night, then people sometimes poetically refer to the raindrops as the tears of the Weaving Damsel and the Cowherd, blissful over their rare reunion.
There are numerous traditional customs to go with the lovers' day, although most people don't practice them these days. Women used to place rice cakes and fruit on their home altars and pray to the two folk deities as a way of commemorating the occasion. Unmarried women would also ask the mythological couple for a good husband and new brides prayed for a healthy
baby.
Another interesting custom was for women to toss their cosmetic powder into the air, sharing it with the Weaving Damsel. The purpose was to seek assistance from the legendary maid for youthful looks and a prettier appearance.
These days, particularly in the cities, the Western custom of giving roses or gifts to loved ones has been widely adopted. A romantic evening out is also on most couples' agenda so the celebration means brisk business for stores. Reservations for restaurants are a must, and the price of roses will soar.
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