A LEGEND OF LOVE

On the evening of August 15th (the seventh day of the seventh month on the Chinese lunar calendar), look heavenward and if the night is clear, you may be able to spot a bright star in the constellation Aquila, west of the Milky Way (or the cowherd) and the Vega east of the Milky Way (or the weaving maid). These two stars appear at their closest than at any other time of the year.

The Chinese believe these stars are lovers. A legend tells how the Weaving Maid, the seventh daughter of the Jade Emperor, fell in love with and married a cowherd. However, they were both so in love that they neglected their farming and weaving duties. This angered the Jade Emperor and he banished them onto two separate banks of the Silver River (Milky Way), and only allowed them to meet each other only once a year on Chihsi, or the night of the double seventh (seventh month and seventh day), on a bridge formed by magpies.

The Brash and the Fair

Another version of this legend is more endearing. It tells of how an orphaned cowherd was mistreated by his elder brother and sister-in-law, and that they gave him an old ox and chased him out of the house. The cowherd worked hard, and after only a couple of years he owned a small farm and house. He was lonely with only the faithful old ox for company.

One day the ox suddenly opened its mouth and spoke to the cowherd. It told him that the heavenly Weaving Maid and her sisters were going to bathe in the Silver River and that he should go there to rob the Weaving Maid of her clothes while she was in the water. In exchange for the return of her clothes, she would become his wife. Curious, the cowherd willingly followed the ox's instructions and hid himself in the reeds at the river-bank, waiting for the girls to bathe.

The girls did come and as they were splashing about and having fun, the cowherd rushed out of the reeds and grabbed the Weaving Maid's clothes. In panic, the sisters ran to get their clothes, hurriedly put them on and ran away. The Weaving Maid, deprived of her clothes, stood on the riverbank and tried to cover herself with her hair as best she could. The cowherd told her that he would not return her clothes unless she promised to be his wife. After a little hesitation, she agreed and they married.

The Jade Emperor heard of this and in his anger punished them to live on either side of the Silver River (Milky Way). If it rains on the night of the double seventh, the time the two lovers meet on the magpie bridge, it is believed that the raindrops are the tears of the Weaving Maid.

To Love and Protect

The double seventh is also an important day for young people. Chiniangma describes the Weaving Maid and her six elder sisters, whom the Chinese believe are protectors of children under 16. A custom which began in the Ching dynasty requires parents of one-year old children to tie a protective amulet (protected by Chiniangma) made from red thread and old coins. Silver and gold coins were also used. The red thread is replaced with a new one on every double seventh as the child grows up.

A person is considered an adult when he or she reaches 16; and a rite to mark the occasion is performed on the double seventh--the birthday of Chiniangma. This is somewhat confusing, since Chiniangma is a unified name; some claim the birthday is the Weaving Maid's, and some assert it belongs to the oldest sister--one more debate topic for the mortals of China.

In Taiwan, this Chinian custom is most prevalent in the Tainan area; on the double seventh, people go to Kailung Temple, which is almost 200 years old, and make 16-year-olds perform the ritual passage to adulthood by crawling underneath the offering table and by circling thrice around and underneath a miniature seven-story pagoda made of bamboo and paper, which is held up by their parents.

Chinese women who long for children believe that they should worship Chusheng Niangniang or the Goddess of Birth during this `double seventh' date. Who is this merciful goddess? She could be the Weaving Maid or any of her sisters.

To Woo Or Be Wooed

In ancient times, it was believed a girl must develop a talent in order to win suitors. In those times needlework was an acceptable, even essential talent which was considered as a part of the girl's dowry. The Weaving Maid, undoubtably was believed to be an excellent seamstress.

In the old days, the double seventh was regarded as Chinese women's day.

In addition, the Chinese believe that the whole seventh lunar month is the Ghost Month, during which the gates of Hades open, allowing the sprits of the dead to roam the earth with the living. To avoid any trouble those spirits might make, the living try their best to avoid holding events or making major changes. For example, no one plans weddings, moves house, opens shop, start projects, swims in the sea (lest you be dragged into the deep), undergoes surgery (if can be helped) or any other significant event.

With so much going on, and so much emotions in the air, it's easy to get thoroughly confused. However if you are one of a pair, you only need to remember that is also considered Lover's Day and you need to get flowers and candy to ensure a problem-free day.