Qixi, the Chinese Valentine's Day, is more than romance.

It is an ancient tradition rooted in legend, prayer, and cultural activities.

The festival falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, which was Aug. 19 in 2026.

It is also celebrated in Singapore, Vietnam, and other Asian countries.

Beijing's Folk Custom Museum held activities on Wednesday under a program called "Asking for Skills."

This reflects a tradition where women historically prayed for skillfulness and showed their abilities through crafts.

Jia Juan, who works in the museum's Public Education Department, said they hope young audiences understand traditional festivals through interactive experiences.

The museum has hosted Qixi events for 14 years, drawing about 500 people each time.

The program included classical music and hands-on activities.

One activity involved dyeing fingernails with garden balsam, a natural pigment tied to beauty and blessings.

Another featured Song brocade bead painting, combining silk with pearls that symbolize good fortune.

Participants created sachet-shaped paintings meant to embody "qiqiao," a concept about pursuing skill and dexterity.

Wang Xuejie attended with her 7-year-old daughter and made "qiaoguo," a molded pastry.

Jia said the festival's history traces back to ancient star worship.

The romantic legend involves Zhinü, a weaver girl, and Niulang, a cowherd, who reunite once a year on a magpie bridge.

In Singapore, researcher Lynn Wong launched Qixi Fest in 2023 to revive the festival.

Hor Xin Hao, of Cantonese descent, preserves traditional observances, praying to the Seven Maidens with offerings like incense and cosmetics.

Hor said the Valentine's Day label narrows the festival's original meaning, which celebrates traditional values and ancestral legacy.