On the Night of Skills, single women carry out tasks, such as melon carving, to impress potential lovers in the honour of seven fairy sisters.
Location
Lovers’ Rock, Bowen Rd, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Dates
Seventh day of the seventh lunar month.
Description
Qi Xi is the Chinese equivalent of Valentine’s Night. In a tradition that predates Christ (not to mention speed dating), single girls carry out tasks to impress potential lovers. Also called Night of the Skills, the event sees girls showing off their talents at domestic duties such as embroidery and melon carving. They throw a sewing needle into a bowl of water and, if it floats, that indicates the girl is an accomplished knitter.
The festival honours seven fairy sisters who, while swimming, had their clothes stolen by a cheeky cowherd. Sent to ask for their clothes back, the youngest and most beautiful sister had to marry the mortal because he had seen her naked. When her mother got wind of the unsuitable match, she angrily formed a river in the sky to divide them – the Milky Way. On this night, magpies fly into the heavens and create a bridge to unite the lovers.
Girls make offerings of flowers, food and face powder to the stars representing the couple. When the ceremony is over, in the hope of sharing the seventh sister’s celestial beauty, they throw half the powder on the roof and use the rest.
Level of Participation
2 – see dazzling displays of domestic prowess and gaze at the starry symbols of two lovers.
Other Local Attractions
While the festival takes place throughout China, Hong Kong’s Lovers’ Rock is a pilgrim site for newlyweds and singletons.
More info: Hong Kong Tourism website.
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