Learn Chinese online - Happy Chinese Valentine's Day

CITYLIFE / Hip & New








Happy Chinese Valentine's Day
(China daily)
Updated: 2006-07-31 09:02





According to ancient Chinese mythology the Cowherd and the Weaver Maid,
lovers separated by the Queen Mother of the Western Heavens, can only
meet tonight.

And thanks to the myth's touching story many Chinese now regard "Qixi"
the evening of July 7 in the Chinese lunar calendar as the Chinese
Valentine's Day.

"The Qixi festival expresses the traditional values of love in China that
lovers should live to a ripe age together and be faithful to each other
no matter what difficulties they encounter," said Feng Jicai, chairman of
the Chinese Folk Literature & Arts Society.

Although both the Qixi festival and the Western Valentine's Day are
dedicated to love, Feng said he hopes some new content besides roses and
chocolates will become part of the traditional Chinese festival.

Yesterday, experts from the Chinese Folk Literature & Arts Society, the
China Federation of literary and Art Circles and the Chinese Academy of
Social Sciences gathered in Xingtai in North China's Hebei Province for a
declaration on protecting the individuality of Qixi culture.

In Nanjing in East China's Jiangsu Province, a total of 770,000 coloured
paper birds decorated the castle of the Zhonghua Gate yesterday, wishing
the city good luck in love.

And nearly 40 young people in traditional Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220)
costumes, gathered in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province
yesterday to celebrate the festival.

Three couples made a "Magpie Bridge" to help the Cowherd and Weaving Maid
cross the Milkyway and be reunited. In the ancient story, magpies spread
their wings to form a bridge across the Milkyway on July 7, enabling the
couple to meet at night in heaven.

According to the Chinese lunar calendar, there will be two Qixi festivals
this year. So the Cowherd and Weaving Maid can meet again, when the next
festival falls on August 31.


















Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours








Today's Top




� Beijing to build second international airport

� China crowned women's Asian Cup

� Israel strike kills at least 54

� It's Chinese Valentine's Day today

� Israel must 'implement obligations'








Alibaba is the largest B2B marketplace in the world. Source model ship,
wooden puzzle, one-piece toilet, RC hovercraft, photo album, prom dress,
pocket bike, Vaginal Speculum, Samurai Sword, String Panty and PVC Pipe.





Learn Chinese, Chinese Mandarin, Learning Materials, Mandarin audio lessons, Chinese writing lessons, Chinese vocabulary lists, About chinese characters, News in Chinese, Go to China, Travel to China, Study in China, Teach in China, Dictionaries, Learn Chinese Painting, Your name in Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese songs, Chinese proverbs, Chinese poetry, Chinese tattoo, Beijing 2008 Olympics, Mandarin Phrasebook, Chinese editor, Pinyin editor, China Travel, Travel to Beijing, Travel to Tibet