The Qixi Festival, celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, serves as a significant cultural event in China. While often compared to Western Valentine's Day due to its focus on romantic love, the holiday is historically grounded in the legend of Zhinü, a weaver fairy, and Niulang, a cowherd. According to folklore, the two were separated by the Milky Way and are permitted to reunite only once a year on this specific date.

Unlike the modern, consumer-driven approach to Valentine's Day, which emphasizes gift-giving, Qixi maintains deep ties to traditional customs. Historically, the day involved rituals where women would display their needlework skills and pray for wisdom or a good marriage. While contemporary celebrations have incorporated modern elements like dining out and exchanging gifts, the core of the festival remains tied to the narrative of the celestial couple and the preservation of cultural heritage. The Independent notes that the holiday is fundamentally about legend and tradition, suggesting that the modern romantic interpretation is a secondary layer to its original mythological significance.