Festival of Qi Xi Jie, China

Festival of Qi Xi Jie, China is also known as the Valentine's Day of China. The festival is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of Chinese calendar. Domestic arts like melon carving, is demonstrated by young girls on this day. Offerings, consisting of fruit, flowers, tea, and facial powder, are presented to Niulang and Zhinü either by a single woman or a newly wedded lady of the house.

There is a story behind this festival. Niulang, the star Altair, was a young cowherd, who came across seven fairy sisters bathing in a lake. He along with his ox steals their cloths. Zhinü, the star Vega, who is the youngest sister, is sent to look for their clothes. While looking for their clothes she comes in front of Niulang in bare body and has to agree to marry him. They prove to be a great couple after marriage and stays happily, but destiny has something else stored for them. Goddess of Heaven after finding a mere mortal married to a fairy, scratches a wide river in the sky with her hairpin to separate them. This river is known as the Milky Way, which separates the two stars Altair and Vega. Zhinü sits beside the river and keeps sobbing and Niulang takes care of their two children on the other side of the river. Seeing this, the Goddess of Heaven out of pity, let them see each other for one night every year. This night is celebrated as the Festival of Qi Xi Jie or the Valentine's Day in China.