Dexterity Eve Festival. On Qixi Festival, there are customs for girls to seek dexterities from the weaver fairy, thus the name.
Lady’s Day. On Qixi Festival, the major customs are girls worshiping weaver fairy, praying for dexterity, and competing in handicraft skills. So this festival is also called Daughter’s Day, and Girl’s Day.
Orchid Night Festival. In ancient times, lunar July was called orchid month, so Qixi Festival is also called Orchid Night Festival.
Baby’s Festival. As the customs of seeking for dexterity and knowledge are usually done by baby girls and boys, this festival is also named Baby’s Festival.
Needle Threading Festival. On this day, there is a custom to thread needles, so it is called Needle Threading Festival.
Customs on Qixi Festival
Threading Needles to Seek for Dexterity
This is the earliest custom to seek for dexterity, which originated from Han dynasty and was passed down to the following generations. Assorted Records of West Capital says, “In Han dynasty, girls often assemble to compete for leading threads through needles with seven holes on July 7, and it was quite popular.” Jingchu Seasonal Records compiled by Liang Zongqi of the Southern dynasty notes, “On July 7, ladies would set up colorful towers, thread needles, and make silver or gold needles by honing on stone.” Yudizhi says, “Emperor Wudi of Qi dynasty built a tower to view the city. On July 7, the palace maids often ascended to thread needles. So people called it needle threading tower.” Wang Renyu of Five Dynasties writes in his Stories of Kaiyuan and Tianbao Reigns, “On Qixi Festival, people built a palace with brocade in the imperial court, about a hundred feet high, on top of which a score of people can stand. Fruits, wine, and seats are placed on the top, in order to worship the Altair and the Vega. The imperial concubines all led five colored threads through needles with nine holes facing the moon, the one who finished fastest and best would be the winner. At the time, ancient music would be placed to escalate the atmosphere, and the activity would last all through the night. The families of ordinary people all followed to celebrate.” Tao Zongyi of Yuan dynasty stated in his Records of Yuan Concubine Palaces, “The Nine Leading Terrace is the place for women to seek for dexterity. On Qixi Festival, the palace maids would mount the terrace and led five colored threads through nine-hole needles. The one who finished first was the deft while the late ones were losers and had to offer gifts to the winner.”
(Source: bjchinese.bjedu.cn)