Known as the Chinese Valentine’s Day, the Qixi Festival (七夕节 Qīxī Jié) is a time for love, romance, and heartfelt wishes. This year, it will be celebrated on August 29, 2025. Based on the Chinese Lunar calendar, it falls on the seventh day of the seventh solar term. Solar terms are like months on the Lunar calendar, which last about two and a half weeks.
This holiday has its roots in Chinese mythology, specifically the story of two star-crossed lovers, Niulang (牛郎 Niúláng) and Zhinu (织女 Zhīnǚ). According to legend, they fell deeply in love but were separated by the Heavenly Queen Mother. Only once a year, on the seventh night of the seventh lunar month, are they allowed to meet—crossing the Milky Way (银河 Yínhé) on a bridge of magpies (喜鹊 xǐquè). This festival has become the Chinese Valentine’s Day (中国情人节 Zhōngguó Qíngrén Jié), when couples express love and devotion.
To get ready for the Qixi Festival, here are some best wishes that Chinese language learners should brush up on. These expressions typically cover themes of love, longevity, togetherness, and happiness.
Best Wishes for Qixi Festival
七夕快乐！(Qīxī kuàilè!) – Happy Qixi Festival!
祝你们爱情甜蜜，永远幸福！(Zhù nǐmen àiqíng tiánmì, yǒngyuǎn xìngfú!) – Wishing you sweet love and eternal happiness!
愿你我心心相印，白头偕老！(Yuàn wǒ nǐ xīn xīn xiāng yìn, báitóu xiélǎo!) – May our hearts be connected and grow old together!
爱你一生一世！(Ài nǐ yīshēng yīshì!) – Love you for a lifetime!
情人节快乐，七夕同庆！(Qíngrén jié kuàilè, Qīxī tóng qìng!) – Happy Valentine’s Day and Qixi Festival!
祝你爱情长久，幸福美满！(Zhù nǐ àiqíng chángjiǔ, xìngfú měimǎn!) – Wishing you lasting love and a happy life!
牵手一生，幸福永远！(Qiān shǒu yīshēng, xìngfú yǒngyuǎn!) – Hand in hand for life, happiness forever!
愿我们的爱情像银河般永恒！(Yuàn wǒmen de àiqíng xiàng yínhé bān yǒnghéng!) – May our love be as eternal as the Milky Way!
爱情甜甜蜜蜜，七夕快乐！(Àiqíng tián tián mì mì, Qīxī kuàilè!) – Wishing you sweet and happy love, Happy Qixi!
愿你我相守到老！(Yuàn wǒ nǐ xiāng shǒu dào lǎo!) – May we stay together until old age!
七夕佳节，幸福相伴！(Qīxī jiājié, xìngfú xiāngbàn!) – Wishing happiness to accompany you this Qixi Festival!
愿爱情长久，情比金坚！(Yuàn àiqíng chángjiǔ, qíng bǐ jīn jiān!) – May love last forever and be stronger than gold!
七夕之夜，愿你心想事成！(Qīxī zhī yè, yuàn nǐ xīnxiǎng shì chéng!) – On this Qixi night, may all your wishes come true!
爱在心间，幸福绵长！(Ài zài xīn jiān, xìngfú miáncháng!) – Love in our hearts, happiness everlasting!
七夕之夜，与爱同在！(Qīxī zhī yè, yǔ ài tóng zài!) – On Qixi night, may love be with you!
愿你们如牛郎织女般永远相爱！(Yuàn nǐmen rú Niúláng Zhīnǚ bān yǒngyuǎn xiāng ài!) – May you love each other like the Cowherd and Weaver Girl!
七夕快乐，浪漫满满！(Qīxī kuàilè, làngmàn mǎn mǎn!) – Happy Qixi Festival, full of romance!
牵手鹊桥，共度良宵！(Qiān shǒu quèqiáo, gòng dù liáng xiāo!) – Hold hands across the magpie bridge and enjoy a beautiful evening!
情深意长，七夕相伴！(Qíng shēn yì cháng, Qīxī xiāngbàn!) – Deep love and long-lasting affection, together this Qixi!
七夕夜，愿爱永恒！(Qīxī yè, yuàn ài yǒnghéng!) – On Qixi night, may love last forever!
Expressions Inspired by Qixi Legend
牛郎织女 (Niúláng Zhīnǚ) – “Cowherd and Weaver Girl” refers to the central couple of the Qixi legend. The phrase is often used to represent star-crossed lovers or a devoted couple who love each other despite obstacles.
鹊桥相会 (quèqiáo xiānghuì) – “Meeting at the Magpie Bridge” refers to the annual reunion of Niúláng and Zhīnǚ, when magpies form a bridge over the Milky Way. It symbolizes reunion after separation and is often used in romantic messages.
银河相隔 (yínhé xiānggé) – “Separated by the Milky Way” literally means “separated by the river of stars,” describing the long-distance love of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl. Used metaphorically for lovers separated by distance.
千里共婵娟 (qiānlǐ gòng chánjuān) – “Sharing the same moon across a thousand miles” is a poetic line that conveys long-distance love; even if lovers are apart, they can look at the same moon and feel connected. Originates from classical poetry but is strongly tied to Qixi symbolism.
喜鹊搭桥 (xǐquè dā qiáo) – “Magpies forming a bridge” refers to the magpies’ selfless act to reunite the lovers. Used metaphorically for friends or circumstances helping lovers meet, or as a romantic motif in decorations and gifts.
星河相会 (xīnghé xiānghuì) – “Meeting across the starry river” is another poetic way to describe the Cowherd and Weaver Girl reuniting across the Milky Way. Common in literature, greeting cards, and romantic posts.
天上人间 (tiān shàng rénjiān) – “Between heaven and earth” highlights the divine and mortal contrast in the legend—Zhīnǚ is heavenly, Niúláng is human. Often used to describe extraordinary love that transcends ordinary life.
千古佳话 (qiān gǔ jiāhuà) – “Timeless love story” refers to the Qixi legend as a classic tale of love passed down through generations. Commonly used in storytelling, essays, and Qixi Festival articles.
永不分离 (yǒng bù fēnlí) – “Never be separated” is inspired by the devotion of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl, expressing steadfast love that endures all challenges. Often used in cards, gifts, or social media posts.
Expressions about Love and Romance
爱你一生 (ài nǐ yīshēng) – Love you for a lifetime
心心相印 (xīn xīn xiāng yìn) – Hearts connected, perfect mutual understanding
永远在一起 (yǒngyuǎn zài yīqǐ) – Together forever
爱情长久 (àiqíng chángjiǔ) – Everlasting love
爱情甜蜜 (àiqíng tiánmì) – Sweet love
天作之合 (tiānzuò zhī hé) – A match made in heaven
白头偕老 (báitóu xiélǎo) – Grow old together
海枯石烂 (hǎi kū shí làn) – Love that lasts until seas dry and rocks crumble
情比金坚 (qíng bǐ jīn jiān) – Love stronger than gold
相濡以沫 (xiāng rú yǐ mò) – Mutual support in hard times
Romantic Wishes & Greetings
心有灵犀一点通 (xīn yǒu língxī yīdiǎn tōng) – Hearts connected, understanding each other without words
海誓山盟 (hǎi shì shān méng) – Oaths of eternal love
爱意绵绵 (ài yì miánmián) – Endless love
情深意长 (qíng shēn yì cháng) – Deep and enduring feelings
情投意合 (qíng tóu yì hé) – Perfectly matched in love
你是我的唯一 (nǐ shì wǒ de wéiyī) – You are my only one
爱在心间 (ài zài xīn jiān) – Love in the heart
永结同心 (yǒng jié tóngxīn) – Bind hearts together forever
心有千千结 (xīn yǒu qiānqiān jié) – Heart full of love knots
相守一生 (xiāng shǒu yīshēng) – Stay together for life
Expressions about Devotion & Fidelity
忠贞不渝 (zhōng zhēn bù yú) – Loyal and unchanging
一往情深 (yī wǎng qíng shēn) – Deep, devoted love
心心相印 (xīn xīn xiāng yìn) – Hearts in harmony
白首不渝 (bái shǒu bù yú) – Faithful until old age
情深意重 (qíng shēn yì zhòng) – Strong affection and sincere feelings
相濡以沫 (xiāng rú yǐ mò) – Support each other in hardship
执子之手 (zhí zǐ zhī shǒu) – Hold your hand forever
山盟海誓 (shān méng hǎi shì) – Vows as steady as mountains and seas
相敬如宾 (xiāng jìng rú bīn) – Mutual respect between couples
不离不弃 (bù lí bù qì) – Never leave or abandon
Poetic & Celestial Expressions
星光灿烂 (xīngguāng cànlàn) – Stars shining brightly
月下相依 (yuè xià xiāng yī) – Leaning on each other under the moon
天作良缘 (tiānzuò liángyuán) – A perfect marriage ordained by heaven
月圆人圆 (yuè yuán rén yuán) – Full moon, happy reunion
星河浪漫 (xīnghé làngmàn) – Romantic starry sky
银河传情 (yínhé chuánqíng) – Love conveyed across the Milky Way
良缘天定 (liángyuán tiāndìng) – A match made in heaven
月老牵线 (Yuèlǎo qiānxiàn) – Cupid (the old man of the moon) tying the red thread
千里相思 (qiānlǐ xiāngsī) – Longing across a thousand miles
相思成疾 (xiāngsī chéng jí) – Lovesickness
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