Human beings have always been committed to the pursuit of a life full of freedom and happiness ever since they came into existence, not only because of their need for proliferation but also for emotional satisfaction, and the Gods of  Love and Marriage have been providing spiritual support for their pursuit. 

  Nv Wa: The Ancestor of the Gods of Love and Marriage

A goddess widely adored by Chinese folks for a long time, Nv Wa is considered the creator and first ancestor of mankind. Legend has it that Nv Wa created all living things. Her greatest achievement lies in mending the sky with stones and creating human beings with clay.

It is said that Nv Wa first created various animals, including hens, dogs, sheep, pigs, and so on. Then she set out to make human beings with a mixture of earth and water. Considering that human beings should be carried on, she established the matrimonial system, allowing women and men to marry so that they could give birth to next generations. Nv Wa thus became the first matchmaker and was held in respect by the later generations as the "God of Marriage." Grand ceremonies were usually held to worship her and temple s were built in her honor. The appearance of Nv Wa reflected the fact that women's central position in a matriarchal clans.

  The Cowherd and the Weaving Maid

The story about a cowherd and a weaving maid is one the top four Chinese legends singing praise of sincere and true love.

The legend holds that an orphaned cowherd was mistreated by his elder brother and sister-in-law, who eventually gave him an old ox and chased him out. The cowherd worked hard, and after only a couple of years, he owned a small farm and house. He was lonely, however, with only the company of that faithful old ox.

One day the ox suddenly opened its mouth and talked, telling the cowherd that the heavenly Weaving Maid and her sisters were going to bathe in the Silver River. The Weaving Maid was said to be the youngest of the seven daughters of the Queen of Heaven. With her sisters, she worked hard to weave beautiful clouds in the sky.

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