Since China is the topic of the day, what with the Summer Olympics about to start in Bejing, here's a beautiful story about the significance of today in China. August 7 is Valentine's Day in the PRC.
Chinese Valentine's Day is on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month in the Chinese calendar. Back a long long time ago, the 7th daughter of the Emperor of Heaven and an orphaned cowherd fell in love. But the Emperor didn't approve of the lowly cowherd and he kept the lovers apart. So the maiden ran away from home and took up residence on the star Vega.
Now, for some reason, the cowherd moved to the star Altair. (Why he didn't just move to Vega with his lady love was not explained in the quick research I did.)
Being that these two stars are several bazillion light years apart, the lovers still had a hard time getting together until the magpies came to their rescue. Once a year, on the 7th night of the 7th month, the little birds build a bridge between the two stars 
and allow the couple to have their annual date. They pick the one night of the year when the two stars are closest together so that the bridge will require fewer magpies.
After the lovers have had their tryst and returned to their respective stars, the magpies have to return to earth and rest up for the whole next year because flying in space is so difficult, what with no oxygen or gravity or anything--not to mention having two people walking on your back.
They say it's impossible to find a magpie in China on this day. They're all out there bridging the gap between Vega and Altair.
I think this is a much sweeter story than the one I've heard about the origins of our Valentine's Day. It seems some greeting card execs were sitting around in a board room having a brainstorming session about how to make more money. They came up with a holiday honoring lovers, who, if they cared enough to send the very best, would go out and buy tons of greeting cards called "Valentines." As an added bonus, the greeting card company gets kickbacks from chocolate manufacturers and florists who also make a killing on these days.
Happy Chinese Valentine's Day, everyone. And if you see a magpie today, please direct him toward the heavens. Those birdies are gonna need all the help they can get.
This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.
On 08/07/2008, Karyl said ...
Hi Susan!
Happy Chinese Valentines Day! to you! Enjoyed the story behind the tradition and I agree it "almost" beats our American version-- I am a chocoholic!!! =O)
Cannot wait til you post your recipes--and pleassssse pass that peach dessert through the computer- Wow does that look good!
I have a request -- my sisters friend is trying for a scholarship to college and has a video she made -- the more people that view it the better her chances of winning.It had to be about The Benefits of Tea. She has her twin brothers in it and she likes the Godfather so that is the theme. Here is the video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxnRU1INZ81
It is for a good cause- Thank You! Karyl
On 08/07/2008, Beverly said ...
Susan, I loved learning about this. I had never read anything about it.
And, I agree that it is much more interesting than a Hallmark sales plan. ;-)
On 08/07/2008, Joan said ...
What a lovely story. Indeed I did see a magpie this morning well two actually. which is good as is for sorrow two for joy.
On 08/07/2008, Lynne in Hawaii said ...
You are amazing! How you find these lovely stories, bake, quilt, do everything! We love cultural stuff so I thoroughly enjoyed the Chinese Valentines Day. However, I am partial to the American Valentines Day -not because I am a chocoholic (I am) but it is my birthday! My husband comments all the time...'do you know how long it took to find a woman born on Valentines Day so I wouldn't forget her birthday?' LOL
On 08/07/2008, Maggie Robinson said ...
This is a lovely story about the Magpies. I call my web and blog Magpie's Collectables.... I picked Magpies since they are suppose too be attracted to bright and shiny objects..... That's me..... Life's short ....wear sequins!!
Anyway thank you so much for the story..... I would Love to be able to use your picture of the magpies on my blog..... Is that possible??
Thanks again Susan
xoxo
((((hugs))))
Maggie
On 08/08/2008, Kai said ...
Xie xie (THANK YOU!) for that lovely account of the Chinese Valentine origin! You are absolutely correct! Much nicer than our commercialized holiday!
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