The Weaver Maiden and the Cowherd
Long ago, in the heavens above, there lived a beautiful and skilled weaver girl named Zhinü, the seventh daughter of the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother of the West. Zhinü was responsible for weaving the colourful clouds that adorned the sky, creating the stunning sunsets and sunrises that delighted all who gazed upon them. Despite her talent and her privileged life, Zhinü often felt lonely. The heavens were vast and beautiful, but they lacked the warmth and companionship she longed for.
On Earth, there lived a poor but kind-hearted cowherd named Niulang. He was an orphan who had been raised by his older brother and sister-in-law, but they treated him harshly and gave him little more than an old ox to care for. Despite his difficult life, Niulang was hardworking and gentle, and he shared a deep bond with his ox, who was his only true friend.
One day, the old ox spoke to Niulang, revealing that it was no ordinary animal but a celestial being in disguise. The ox told Niulang that the seven daughters of the Jade Emperor would soon descend to Earth to bathe in a nearby lake. The ox advised Niulang to hide near the lake and take the robe of the youngest daughter, Zhinü, for without it, she would be unable to return to the heavens.
Niulang followed the ox's advice and hid by the lake. When the seven celestial maidens arrived, they removed their feathered robes and stepped into the water. Niulang quietly took Zhinü's robe, and when the maidens finished bathing and prepared to return to the heavens, Zhinü was left behind. Niulang approached her and offered to return her robe if she agreed to stay with him on Earth. Though initially hesitant, Zhinü was touched by Niulang's kindness and sincerity, and she agreed to marry him.
The two lived happily together, building a simple but loving life. Niulang continued to tend to his ox and farm the land, while Zhinü used her weaving skills to create beautiful fabrics that they sold in the nearby village. They were blessed with two children, a son and a daughter, and their family was filled with joy and laughter.
However, their happiness did not go unnoticed. The Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother of the West soon discovered that Zhinü had married a mortal and was living on Earth. Enraged by her disobedience, they ordered Zhinü to return to the heavens immediately. Heartbroken, Zhinü had no choice but to obey. As she ascended to the heavens, Niulang and their children cried out in despair.
Determined to reunite with his wife, Niulang sought the help of the old ox. Before passing away, the ox told Niulang to use its hide to make a pair of magical shoes that would allow him to travel to the heavens. Niulang did as instructed and, carrying his children in baskets on a pole, set off on a journey to find Zhinü.
When the Jade Emperor saw Niulang approaching, he was furious. Using his divine powers, he created a vast river in the sky—the Milky Way—to separate the two lovers forever. Niulang and Zhinü stood on opposite sides of the river, unable to cross, their hearts heavy with sorrow.
Moved by their love and the tears of their children, the Jade Emperor eventually relented. He decreed that once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, all the magpies in the world would fly to the heavens and form a bridge across the Milky Way, allowing Niulang and Zhinü to reunite for a single night. This day became known as the Qixi Festival, or the Chinese Valentine's Day, a celebration of love and devotion.
To this day, the story of the Weaver Maiden and the Cowherd is celebrated across China. On the night of the Qixi Festival, people gaze at the stars, searching for the bright stars Vega (Zhinü) and Altair (Niulang) on either side of the Milky Way. It is said that if it rains on this night, the drops are the tears of the lovers, reunited for a brief moment before they must part once more.
