Qixi is the Chinese Valentine's Day.
七夕是中国情人节。
But it is more than romance.
但它不只是爱情。
It is an old tradition.
它是一个古老的传统。
It comes from legends, prayer, and culture.
它来自传说、祈祷和文化。
The festival is on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month.
这个节日在农历七月初七。
In 2026, that day was Aug. 19.
在2026年,那天是8月19日。
People also celebrate it in Singapore, Vietnam, and other Asian countries.
人们也在新加坡、越南和其他亚洲国家庆祝它。
Beijing's Folk Custom Museum held activities on Wednesday.
北京的民俗博物馆在星期三举行了活动。
The program is called "Asking for Skills."
这个活动叫“乞巧”。
This tradition is old.
这个传统很老。
Women prayed for skillfulness.
女人祈求手艺好。
They showed their abilities with crafts.
她们用手艺展示能力。
Jia Juan works in the museum's Public Education Department.
贾娟在博物馆的公共教育部工作。
She said they hope young people understand old festivals through fun activities.
她说他们希望年轻人通过好玩的活动了解老节日。
The museum has held Qixi events for 14 years.
博物馆办七夕活动已经14年了。
About 500 people come each time.
每次大约有500人来。
The program had classical music and hands-on activities.
这个活动有古典音乐和动手活动。
One activity was dyeing fingernails with garden balsam.
一个活动是用凤仙花染指甲。
That is a natural color.
那是一种天然的颜色。
It means beauty and blessings.
它代表美丽和祝福。
Another activity was Song brocade bead painting.
另一个活动是宋锦珠画。
It uses silk and pearls.
它用丝绸和珍珠。
Pearls mean good fortune.
珍珠代表好运。
People made sachet-shaped paintings.
人们做了香囊形状的画。
These paintings show "qiqiao."
这些画展示“乞巧”。
That is an idea about skill and dexterity.
那是一个关于技巧和灵巧的想法。
Wang Xuejie came with her 7-year-old daughter.
王雪洁和她7岁的女儿来了。
They made "qiaoguo."
她们做了“巧果”。
That is a shaped pastry.
那是一种有形状的点心。
Jia said the festival started with old star worship.
贾娟说,这个节日从古老的星星崇拜开始。
The love story is about Zhinü, a weaver girl.
这个爱情故事是关于织女,一个织布的女孩。
And Niulang, a cowherd.
还有牛郎,一个放牛的人。
They meet once a year on a magpie bridge.
他们每年在鹊桥上见一次。
In Singapore, researcher Lynn Wong started Qixi Fest in 2023.
在新加坡,研究员王琳在2023年开始了七夕节。
She wanted to bring the festival back.
她想把这个节日带回来。
Hor Xin Hao is of Cantonese descent.
何新豪是广东人的后代。
He keeps old traditions.
他保留古老的传统。
He prays to the Seven Maidens.
他向七仙女祈祷。
He gives incense and cosmetics.
他给香和化妆品。
Hor said the Valentine's Day name is too small.
何说,中国情人节这个名字太小了。
The festival's real meaning is about old values and family history.
这个节日的真正意思是关于古老的价值观和家庭历史。