Qixi Festival: Love, Waiting, and the Bridges Between Us
Every culture has its stories of love, longing, and reunion. In China, the Qixi Festival (七夕), often called the “Chinese Valentine’s Day,” carries one of the most moving.
According to legend, the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl—two lovers separated by the Milky Way—are only allowed to meet once a year, on the seventh night of the seventh lunar month. On that night, a flock of magpies forms a bridge across the stars, allowing the couple to reunite.
More Than Romance
Though Qixi is widely celebrated as a festival of love, its meaning is richer than romance alone. In ancient times, Qixi was also known as the “Festival of Skills” (乞巧节). Young women would thread needles under the moonlight, praying for wisdom, creativity, and dexterity. At its heart, Qixi celebrates devotion, resilience, and the power of human connection.
The Bridge as a Symbol
For the Mothers’ Bridge of Love (MBL), the story of Qixi resonates deeply. Just as the magpie bridge connects two hearts across the divide of heaven, MBL exists to build bridges across cultures, generations, and oceans—reuniting families, creating understanding, and nurturing belonging.
The festival reminds us that love is not always easy or immediate. Sometimes it means waiting, holding hope through distance, and cherishing the brief but profound moments of reunion.
A Wish for Qixi
On this Qixi, may we all be reminded of the bridges in our own lives—those who support us, those who connect us, and those who bring light across distance.
💛 May love, in all its forms, guide us gently across the divides and remind us that we are never truly alone.