Qi Xi Festival, colloquially known as the Chinese Valentine’s Day is one of the most eagerly anticipated festivities, especially amongst the young. Qi Xi festival celebrations in Beijing are carried out enthusiastically with boys, girls and young lovers going to the lakeside, parks, city squares and innumerable party venues to light the festive lanterns and wholeheartedly celebrate love and romance.

Girls will often receive romantic gifts of roses and chocolates while the single young men and women who hope to find true love will make their fervent wish whilst lighting lanterns besides lakes and rivers. Young girls will also display their household abilities, particularly melon carving and wish for a desirable husband.

The principal legend associated with the festival surrounds the tragic love story between Niulang and Zhinu, who are identified as the stars Altair and Vega respectively. Niulang, a cowherd and Zhinu, a fairy princess fell in love with each other, married and lived happily with their two children. However the Goddess of Heaven decreed that Zhinu should at once return to heaven. The distraught Niulang followed his wife into the heavens, but the Goddess created a void between them and decreed that they could only meet once a year.

Originating in the Han Dynasty, the Qi Xi traditions are still carried out today. An arrangement of flowers is placed outside the home and the single and newly married girls provide an offering to Zhinu and Niulang consisting of flowers, tea, fruits and facial makeup powder. After this one half of the facial powder is tossed on the roof while the remainder is distributed amongst the young women.