Valentine’s Day Celebration in China

Valentine’s Day in China is celebrated with equal enthusiasm as it is celebrated the world over. However, instead of February 14th, it is celebrated on the 7th day of 7th lunar month according to Chinese calendar. Also known as Chinese Valentine’s Day, people also refer to it by other names like “Festival of Double Sevens”, “Seven Sister’s Festival”, “Qi Xi- The Night of Sevens”, and “Daughter’s Festivals”.

History of Valentine’s Day in China

There is a story that speaks volume about the origin of Valentine’s Day in the country. The story is about a poor boy who owned nothing but an ox. He happened to fall in love with an Emperor’s daughter. Read on to know what happens next.

There was a young boy who owned an ox. The Ox was actually immortal but due to a mistake he had committed, he was turned into an ox. He liked the small boy a lot. One fine day, he asked the boy to go near the river where he would find beautiful girls if he was interested in getting married.

The boy did as he was told. He found 7 daughters of the Emperor of Heaven bathing in the river. He liked the youngest daughter and convinced her to marry him. Since the marriage was against the wishes of the Emperor, with the help of the daughter’s grandmother both of them were separated. The boy and his wife were converted into stars, namely, Star Vega and Star Altair. After marriage, the boy and the 7th daughter of Emperor got 2 beautiful children but they stayed apart.

Celebrations and Customs

Chocolate and flower shops have a wide range of displays to choose from. The prices are usually higher as compared to the gifts you will get during other times of the year.

Restaurants prepare special dishes for the young lovers. Valentine’s Day in China is mainly for the younger people.

Visiting Matchmaker Temple - In most of the cities in China, young couples visit the Matchmaker Temple to seek blessings. The ones who are single also visit temples and pray for a lovely partner.

Weaving Maid - The art of handicrafts is widely prevalent in China. As such on this day, Weaving Maid is worshipped. Young girls offer prayers to seek blessings so that they are smarter in the following year and are liked by a handsome guy.

Needle Test – When Star Vega shines brightly in the sky girls carry out the needle test. They drop a needle in water. If the needle sinks, the girl is ready to get married else she has to wait for a year before she can make a wish again.

Decorating Ox’s horn –Many young couples decorate the horn of an ox with flowers and streamers during Chinese Valentine’s Day.

Another custom is washing hair in the morning. Most of the women wash their hair so that it shines and looks good. Children on the other hand wash their faces with water that has been stored overnight.

In addition to following the above traditions, couples also exchange gifts, chocolates, candies, cookies, and gift hampers.

Latest Updated on 27/12/2010