Qixi Festival: Stars, Myths and Exotic Customs
By Liu Zongdi  Publisher: Orient Publishing Center
Paper Back
2024-02-01 | ISBN: 978-7-5473-2259-8
Rights Manager: Lu Jun
Email: oriental_rights@outlook.com
Introduction
This book focuses on the traditional Chinese festival Qixi from multiple perspectives. It reveals the ancient ancestors’ practices of celestial observation for timekeeping and the traditional division of labor between men plowing and women weaving behind the touching story of the Cowherd and the Weaving Maiden. By exploring the diverse customs of the Qixi Festival throughout the history, it reveals the festival’s essential nature as the Daughters’ Day. This book also explores the exotic origins of the Song Dynasty’s Qixi customs and the southeastern coastal worship of Kuixing star. This exploration traces the Western Regions’ influence, reflecting the cultural layering and evolution across Eurasia. The romantic elegance, inclusiveness, and openness of Chinese civilization shine throughout the long history of Qixi culture.