Qixi Festival, also known as Chinese Valentine’s Day, is celebrated each year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month in China. This year, it falls on Tuesday 22nd August. Since it’s quickly approaching, we can feel that love is already in the air as Qixi Festival is the perfect occasion to celebrate the bond between couples and express heartfelt emotions. And what better way to do so than with the language of flowers? From the classic romance of roses to the exotic allure of orchids, there's a perfect bloom for every love story. In this blog, we’ll dive into the origins of the Qixi Festival, exploring its ties with flowers, and how these beautiful blooms play a crucial role in this enchanting celebration of love.
The Origin of Qixi Festival
Qixi Festival is based on a Chinese myth about a romantic legend, a cowherd, Niulang (牛郎), and a weaver girl, Zhinü (织女). The story starts with the young cowherd saving an old ox who was once the god of cattle. In order to show its gratitude, the old ox helped Niulang get acquainted with Zhinü, the seventh daughter of the Jade Emperor and the goddess of Heaven, when she escaped from her boring life in the confines of heaven to seek joy and excitement on Earth. Enamoured by Niulang, Zhinü soon found herself deeply in love with him, and they got married, without the knowledge of the goddess. Similar to many other mythologies, the union between a mere mortal and a fairy was fated never to occur. The goddess of heaven was so furious when she found out. Therefore, she sent celestial soldiers to bring Zhinü back and then used her hairpin to create a huge river between them, separating them forever. However, their profound love touched the hearts of all the magpies, and out of compassion, they flew up together, forming a bridge over the river so that Niulang and Zhinü could reunite on the auspicious magpie bridge. Witnessing the sincerity of their love, even the goddess herself was moved, granting them a yearly meeting on the magpie bridge, occurring only on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. This became the cherished tradition of the Qixi Festival, where the celestial lovers could be together for one precious day each year.
Long story short, the Qixi Festival is a celebration of love, encompassing not only romantic love but also enduring, spiritual forms of love that last "till death do us part." It is a poignant reminder of the power of love to bridge even the greatest divides and unite hearts in a bond that transcends time and space.
The Significance of Flowers for Qixi Festival
In modern times, couples across the globe celebrate this special day by exchanging heartfelt gifts. Without a doubt, flowers are one of the most common choices as a powerful medium for expressing love and affection. Especially, with their association with love, beauty, and romance, roses and orchids are perfect for this special occasion.
The Timeless Connection Between Roses and Love
When it comes to romantic gestures, there will be no other choices as popular as roses. The association of roses with love can be traced back to the Ancient Greek and Roman mythologies. In Greek mythologies, red roses were given rise by the mixture of Adonis’ blood and the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite’s tears when Adonis was wounded by a wild boar. In Roman mythology, roses were considered a symbol of desire and secrecy. Romans would adorn their bedrooms with roses to invoke the essence of love and beauty that Venus, the Goddess of Love, was renowned for.
Nowadays, roses were given different meanings of love by their colour and numbers. For example, white roses symbolise purity and budding love while pink roses are always associated with connected with joy and admiration. Meanwhile, one single-stem rose symbolises “love at first sight” and the meaning behind 31 roses is “will you be mine”. If you want to explore more, please read our other blogs talking about the flower language behind the colour and number of roses.
Orchids as a Symbol of Love and Beauty
For ages, orchids have been also linked to love, beauty, and elegance. Their exotic allure makes them a favoured option for occasions like the Qixi Festival. Orchids embody love, luxury, and strength, making them an ideal choice for conveying profound affection and admiration.
The delicate and intricate beauty of orchids also mirrors the rarity and preciousness of love. With a wide range of colours and shapes to choose from, orchids offer endless possibilities for crafting distinctive and meaningful flower arrangements that leave a lasting impression.
Whether you're celebrating a new romance, a long-lasting love, or even mending a broken heart, Amazing Graze Flowers will help you find the perfect Qixi Festival flowers to create an unforgettable moment. Get ready to surprise your significant other or embark on a solo journey of self-love as we delve into the world of flowers and uncover their hidden meanings. Let the petals speak, and let love bloom this Qixi Festival!
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