Planting life for children
Unlike those ceremonies praying for love to come, many in the past would put a layer of earth on a small wooden board and sow seeds of rice several days before Qixi Festival with the hope of bringing health to their children. Later, when green shoots came out, they put a small straw shack and flowers on it, to symbolize a farmer's house. People could also put green beans, small beans, and wheat seeds into a bowl. When the shoots were about one inch long, they bound them up with red or blue threads into bunches. This custom was called planting life, or five life basin, and flower-growing basin.
In the south, it was also called soaking dexterity, and the bean shoots that grew out of it were called dexterous shoots. Some even used these shoots instead of needles and threw them on water to pray for dexterity. They also made various figures with wax, such as the Cowherd and the Weaver Fairy, condor, mandarin duck, etc., and then drifted them on water. This was called water drifting. There were also dolls made of wax for babies, which women would buy and place on water at home for good fortune for babies. This was called "begging for life" and it is where the name for the Begging Festival came from.
Though many of the traditions have vanished over time, the festival, listed in 2006 as an intangible cultural heritage by the State Council, has once again drawn attention from young lovers. As it falls on this coming Saturday, many suggest that couples should take the weekend and throw themselves into revived traditions to celebrate their love.
Recommended journeys to celebrate
For those couples who intend to spend a memorable Valentine's Day this weekend, joining the "Begging Cultural Festival" in Guangzhou of Guangdong Province can be a good choice.
Pear Village in the city celebrates the Begging Festival, or Chinese Valentine's Day every year. It has become a popular scenic spot for its abundant activities that day.
This year, according to the local newspaper, the "Begging Cultural Festival" will kick off on Wednesday and last until next Monday.
At the festival, various folk arts and crafts related to the festival will be exhibited along with the rituals and practices worshiping Zhi Nu. Entertainment activities include theme park parties, forums, performances, and even a blind date fair for those who are still seeking their mates will be held.
Villagers in the hosting village sometimes set up an old-fashioned eight-person square table with candles or incense sticks to attract tourists to buy their handiworks, homemade dishes, and fruit.
In addition, couples can take the chance to visit Dongguan, also in Guangdong Province, where the famous folk craft Gongan has been made by various materials into lanterns in different sizes and shapes.
