QI QIAO JIE £¨ÆòÇɽڣ©
       

Celebrated on the 7th night of the seventh lunar month, Qi Qiao Jie is one of the more romantic Chinese festivals.  it commemorates the annual reunion of the cowherd (Niu Lang /Å£ÀÉ )    and the weaving Maiden (Zhi Nu /֯Ů ).     It is a time to emphasise the joy and beauty of love; it is also an occasion to reiterate and demonstrate appreciation and care for one's beloved.
 

ORIGIN

Version 1:    Niu Lang and Zhi Nu were both faries living on opposite sides of the Milky Way ("Silver River" in Chinese).  The Jade Emperor of Heaven (Óñ»Ê´óµÛ) felt        sorry for the two faries and hence arranged for their marriage.  The couple became enthralled with each other after their marriage that they neglected their work.  The Jade Emperor was annoyed and decreed that henceforth, the couple could only meet once a year on the seventh night of the seventh month.

 
Version 2:    Zhi Nu was the 7th daughter of the Jade Emperor.  One day while visiting earth, she met and fell in love with Niu Lang.  After their marriage, Zhi Nu's absence was discovered by her mother, the Jade Emperess (»ÊĸÄïÄï) and Zhi Nu was ordered to return to Heaven.  The Jade Emperess took pity on the couple and she thus allowed them to meet once a year.  So, on the seventh night of the seventh moon, mapies would form a bridge for the fairy wife to meet her mortal husband.

OBSERVATION

        Celebration is declining in recent years.  In the 50's and 60's, many Chinatown streets turned into fairyland of lights as different "Qi Jie Hui" (Seven Sisters' Association /Æß½ã»á , comprising of mainly single females) competed with each other to put up the most beautiful "shrines" to Niu Lang and Zhi Nu.
        The "shrines" were mainly made of paper and fresh fruits, flowers and cosmetics were offered.  Also, devotees took pains to make miniature clothes, shoes, and artifacts from paper and embroidery for display.