Qixi: A Festival of Love and Reunion

七夕：爱与相会的节日

Once upon a time in Chinese legend, there was a humble Cowherd and a beautiful Weaver Girl, a goddess skilled in weaving the clouds. They fell in love, but their union defied the heavens. The Queen Mother of Heaven separated them with the Milky Way, allowing them to meet only once a year on the seventh night of the seventh lunar month, when magpies gather to form a bridge across the stars.

很久以前，中国的传说里有一位勤劳的牛郎和一位美丽的织女，她是织云的天上仙女。他们相爱，却触犯天规，被王母娘娘用银河隔开。唯有在每年七月初七的夜晚，喜鹊才会搭起鹊桥，让他们得以相会。

From Ancient Rituals to Modern Celebration

从古至今的节日

In ancient times, Qixi was marked by rituals known as “Qiqiao,” where women prayed for wisdom and skill. Today, it is often called the “Chinese Valentine’s Day,” celebrated with love and gifts. Yet beyond romance, Qixi reminds us of trust, companionship, and the enduring bonds that connect people.

古人于七夕“乞巧”，祈求智慧与灵巧；今日，人们将其视为东方的情人节，以爱意与礼物表达心意。七夕不仅仅属于情侣，它也启发我们思考人与人之间的信任与陪伴。

Reflections from IAK

IAK的思考

At IAK Culture Association, we believe that true love is not only a romantic encounter but also mutual respect and growth. In a world of 8 billion, love is never scarce. By walking our own path with integrity, we naturally find those who will journey with us.

IAK文化协会相信，真正的爱不仅是浪漫的相逢，更是彼此尊重与共同成长。在这个八十亿人口的世界里，爱情不是稀缺的存在。走好自己的路，坚守正道，自然会有人与我们同行。

East Meets West, Ancient Meets Modern

东西相会，古今相融

Just as the stars of Qixi form a bridge across the Milky Way, IAK is devoted to building dialogue between East and West. Love is not only a personal story — it is also a bridge between civilizations.

如同七夕的星河搭起桥梁，IAK致力于东西方的文化对话。爱，不仅仅是个人的故事，也是文明的桥梁。