Gaze up to where the Milky Way (or the heavenly river in Chinese) traverses the night sky and you will see a constellation of five small stars on the east bank. This is Vega, also named the Girl Weaver or Zhi Nu in Chinese. Opposite her, on the distant west bank is Altair, also named Cowherd or Niu Lang in Chinese, shining brilliantly through the ages -- lonely and waiting.  

It is one of the famous Chinese legends. This story is about the Girl Weaver and a peasant who named "Lang". They can only see each other once a year, on the 7th day of July, the seventh of the Chinese lunar calendar. 

Long time ago when people still believed there were god and goddess in the heaven, Emperor Jade in heaven ruled everyone and everything in the heaven and on the earth. He had seven daughters. However, he only favored his seventh daughter -- the most intelligent, the prettiest and most talented in weaving among the seven sisters. Since she had the most outstanding weaving skills, people called her the Girl Weaver. Girl Weaver loved to spend her time with her sisters in the heaven until she was a teenage.

One day, the seven sisters felt bored to stay in the heaven. Therefore, they decided to go down to the earth for a walk. That was a humid day. When the seven ladies got down to the earth, the first thing they saw was a beautiful pond with clear and cool water, with colorful flowers, singing birds, green and lively grass around. They were attracted by nature and decided to take a bath in the pond. As they were enjoying their bath, the sky turned to gray and dark, strong wind blew hard, and soon rain poured down. The seven ladies realized this was a signal that their father was calling them home. They rushed to dress up and flew back to the heaven. However, they lost their youngest sister, Girl Weaver. The strong wind had blown her clothes to a nearby grass land. At this moment, a young, handsome and strong peasant picked them up and gave to her in a very gentle manner. At this very first second, the two fell deeply in love at the first sight. Since then, Girl Weaver carefully observed this young peasant from Heaven. She found that he was very hard working and honest and named "Lang". He has a cow that was out to the grass land everyday. She discussed her feelings with her elder sisters and decided to go to the earth and marry him.

Finally, they got married. Every day, Lang went to the farm, and Girl Weaver cooked, cleaned and weaved. They really enjoyed their life. However, the happy moment didn't last for long. Emperor Jade finally discovered Girl Weaver's secret. He was furious and sent four soldiers to earth this time. When they were trying to guard the Girl Weaver back to the heaven, Lang came back home. However, he could not do anything, since the soldiers were very powerful. Suddenly, the cow talked, "Take my horn, it will help you to chase your wife back. Put your kids on the bamboo basket and carry them with you. I was one of the gods in the heaven but broke one of the rules, so Emperor Jade punished me by sending me down to the earth to suffer. Go. And hurry."

Lang followed what the cow said. Suddenly, the whether changed and a storm was coming. It was so strong that it caused a severe flood on the earth. Lang and the kids followed the soldiers. When there was only one foot between Lang and Girl Weaver, Empress Jade waved her fade clasp. Suddenly, the rain between the couple broke into two sides. The couple suddenly found that each of them standing on one side of an ocean. Lang's ox horn couldn't fly to the other side. The couple was thus separated.    

At this moment over a million of birds flew here from far and near, and soon built a bird bridge. This bridge was long and strong enough for Lang to walk on and reach his wife. Empress Jade was impressed by the birds and the strong love between her daughter and Lang. Finally, she made an announcement that since the goddess could not be with earthly people, Girl Weaver and Lang could see each other once a year on the day -- the 7th day of the 7th lunar month. Also, birds volunteered to be the bridge for them to see each other.

Since then, Lang and Girl Weaver met each other on that day each year. Therefore, on the 7th day of July of the Chinese lunar calendar, we will hardly see a bird cruising on the sky or singing on the tree. They are on duty -- to build the bird bridge. Also, on this day it is always raining. People say this is the tear of Lang and Girl Weaver.

Over thousands of years, the story of Cowherd and Girl Weaver has been told in every household. People gaze up at the river of stars, their hearts harboring one thought: the hope that lovers will be reunited soon.