Chinese Valentine’s Day 七夕 Group 4 34、 4、 6、 22

The story Niulang牛郎, a young cowherd, met a fairy Zhinü織女 and got married to her. But Goddess of the Heaven(王母娘娘) found that, and she was not happy about it, so she forced Zhinü to return to the heaven. Niulang wanted to get his wife. He flew to the heaven. But the goddess created a river in the sky to prevent them from meeting each other. (That’s why we have the milk way and the 牛郎織女constellation.) Taking pity on them, the magpies in the world form a bridge once a year. So, they may meet each other on 7/7.

Customs This day also became a special day to pray for sewing skill. Unmarried girls would  prepare thread and needles to worship under the moon, hoping to gain skill in the arts of needlework  Qi Niang Ma(七星媽) , or Zhinü, is also said to be the guarding angel for children under 16.

In Modern Taiwan The celebration for Chinese Valentine’s Day resembles that for western Valentine’s Day now. A boy / girl will give chocolate to the one he / she likes.