A Divine Reunion on the Magpie Bridge

Author: Qin Guan (1049—1100)

Thin clouds move agilely as flying stars carry their regrets.

Altair and Vega quietly come from afar to cross the Milky Way.

Once his heart of gold reunites with her jade-like, dewy beauty,

Their passion outshines everything lovers on earth can say.

Love feels as soothing as water and the night as sweet as a dream.

How can they think of leaving the Magpie Bridge the next day?

If a couple’s love is meant to last,

How would it matter not being together every night and day?

August usually overlaps with the seventh lunar month, so it often sees a traditional Chinese holiday marked by the seventh of the seventh lunar month. The Chinese name of the holiday, qi xi (七夕), literally means “the seventh evening.” The holiday is only celebrated in the evening for its romantic origin. It’s also known as Chinese Valentine’s Day in China, though some Chinese think the Lantern Festival should be called Chinese Valentine’s Day.

Copyright: A Poetic Portal To Chinese Culture, China Pictorial Press

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