Qixi Festival is a Chinese Valentine’s Day. On this day, couples often go out together at night. Behind this story lies a touching myth: the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.

The Orphan Herding Cowherd

There was an orphan named Cowherd who lived with his brother and sister-in-law. He was clever and hardworking, but his sister-in-law still despised him and drove him out to the mountains to herd cattle before dawn.

A year later, his brother and sister-in-law separated from Cowherd. The heartless sister-in-law left him only a shabby thatched cottage and an old cow.

From then on, Cowherd herded cattle and chopped wood during the day, and slept in the shabby cottage with the old cow at night. One day, Cowherd herded cattle into an unfamiliar forest.

The area was picturesque, with lush green mountains and clear waters, and birdsong and fragrant flowers. Cowherd saw nine fairies riding auspicious clouds and landing on a riverside meadow. They then took off their colorful clothes and jumped into the crystal clear water.

Encounter with the Fairies

Cowherd was mesmerized by the youngest and most beautiful fairy. At this moment, the old cow suddenly spoke: “She is the Weaver Girl in heaven. Take her colorful dress, and she will be your wife.” The Cowherd quietly walked along the bushes and quietly took the Weaver Girl’s colorful dress.

As noon approached, the other fairies donned their colorful dresses and rode away on auspicious clouds. Only the Weaver Girl, unable to find her dress, remained. Then, the Cowherd emerged from behind a tree and asked her to be his wife.

The Weaver Girl, impressed by the Cowherd’s honesty, diligence, and strength, nodded shyly. After the Cowherd and Weaver Girl tied the knot, the man farmed while the woman wove, and they respected and loved each other.

Two years later, the Weaver Girl gave birth to a boy and a girl. However, upon learning that the Weaver Girl had married a mortal, the Emperor of Heaven was furious. On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the Queen Mother, acting on orders, led the celestial soldiers and generals to capture the Weaver Girl.

Meeting at the Magpie Bridge

The grief-stricken Cowherd, with the help of the old cow, carried his children in a basket and pursued them to heaven. Just as they were about to catch up, the Queen Mother plucked out her golden hairpin and swiped it. Immediately, a turbulent Milky Way appeared beneath Cowherd’s feet.

The heartbroken Weaver Girl and the Cowherd, carrying their children, stood on the east and west sides of the river, respectively. Their cries moved the magpies from afar, and countless magpies flew to the Milky Way. They built a magpie bridge, and the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl could finally meet on it.

The Queen Mother had no choice but to allow the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl to meet on the bridge once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month.