The festival originates from a legend about two lovers, a weaver girl and a cowherd. Many versions of this story exist, but according to one of them, their love was forbidden because the girl was really a fairy from heaven and the cowherd only a mere mortal. That is why they were banished to opposite sides of the river of stars (or the Milky Way).
Once a year, on Double Seventh Day, a flock of magpies would form a bridge to reunite the lovers for a day. Traditionally, women would show off their weaving and sewing skills on the day of this festival. However, young Chinese people today prefer to celebrate the Western Valentine’s Day in February.
