Valentine’s Day, celebrated globally as a holiday of romance, takes on unique cultural expressions and customs in both China and France.
China’s version of Valentine’s Day, known as the Qixi Festival, originates from a touching love story—the legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. According to the tale, on the seventh day of the seventh month of the traditional Chinese calendar, the Weaver Girl and the Cowherd are reunited across the Milky Way by a bridge of magpies. This day has since become a symbol of devoted love in Chinese culture.
The Qixi Festival highlights the rich tapestry of Chinese traditions and the enduring power of love stories in shaping cultural celebrations. As the world embraces Valentine’s Day in various ways, the Qixi Festival offers a unique perspective on love and devotion, rooted in ancient legend and cherished by people across China.
