The Qixi Festival, also known as Chinese Valentine's Day, has a rich history, customs, and folklore.

**Origins of the Qixi Festival:**
The Qixi Festival originated from a romantic legend that dates back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC – 771 BC). According to the legend, there was a poor cowherd named Niu Lang who fell in love with a beautiful celestial maiden named Zhinu. Their love was forbidden by the gods, but the couple managed to unite on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, which is why this day is celebrated as Qixi Festival.
**Folklore of the Qixi Festival:**
1. The Cowherd and the Weaver Maiden: Niu Lang was a cowherd who spent his days working in the fields. He met Zhinu, a celestial maiden who lived in the heavenly palace, and they fell in love. Despite the gods' ban, they managed to meet on the seventh day of the seventh month, which is celebrated as Qixi Festival. However, the gods separated them, and they could only be together once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh month, when a magpie bridge formed across the Milky Way.
2. The Red Thread of Love: It is believed that during the Qixi Festival, the magpies fly to the Milky Way to form a bridge for the lovers. A red thread connected by the gods symbolizes a happy marriage. Therefore, young women would tie a red thread on their wrists to pray for a good marriage and a loving partner.
**Customs of the Qixi Festival:**
1. Viewing the Stars: On the evening of the Qixi Festival, people, especially young women, would look up at the stars in the hope of seeing the magpie bridge connecting Niu Lang and Zhinu. They would also leave offerings on the ground for the magpies, hoping that their generosity would be rewarded.
2. Making and Offering Seven-star Rice: People would make a special kind of rice called "seven-star rice" by filling a bowl with a variety of grains. They would then sprinkle the rice under the magpie bridge, believing that it would encourage the magpies to build a stronger bridge for Niu Lang and Zhinu.
3. Making Paper Lanterns: It is customary to make and release paper lanterns during the Qixi Festival. These lanterns symbolize hope for the future and are a reminder of the enduring love between Niu Lang and Zhinu.
The Qixi Festival is a time when people celebrate love and romance, and it continues to be an important event in Chinese culture, especially among young people.
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