Sydney Harbour Bridge Reunites Lovers for Chinese Valentine’s Day
On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, six multicultural couples scaled the arches of the Bridge to celebrate Chinese Valentine’s Day.
The couples were separated as they commenced their climb so that they could ascend on opposite arches and be romantically reunited at the summit. As the harbour sparkled beneath them, the six couples recited romantic ancient Chinese poetry to one another, as they gazed into each other’s eyes; the city beneath them unknowingly sensing the love in the air.
Chinese Valentine’s Day celebrates the ancient tale of the Weaver girl and Cowherd, a Chinese myth that dates back to over 2,600 years ago. The Double Seventh Festival (Qixi Festival) is based on this romantic legend, which has been celebrated in China since the Han Dynasty.
The tale of two star-crossed lovers; Zhinü and Niulang, is popular amongst Chinese people of all ages. Forbidden to love by Zhinü’s mother, the goddess of heaven, who separated the two by creating a river between them. Niulang was so heartbroken by being forcibly separated by his love Zhinü that he could only weep. Their love was strong, it moved all of the magpies in the world to take pity on them, and they flew up into heaven to form a bridge over the river, so Niulang and Zhinü could meet on the magpie bridge. The goddess of heaven was also moved by their love, that she allowed them to meet each other on the magpie bridge on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month ever year.
At BridgeClimb, we believe that every day of the year is a great day to celebrate something. Find out more about our Daily Climbs, Special Event Climbs, and Celebrations Climbs here.
The couples were separated as they commenced their climb so that they could ascend on opposite arches and be romantically reunited at the summit. As the harbour sparkled beneath them, the six couples recited romantic ancient Chinese poetry to one another, as they gazed into each other’s eyes; the city beneath them unknowingly sensing the love in the air.
The Double Seventh Festival (Qixi Festival) Legend
Chinese Valentine’s Day celebrates the ancient tale of the Weaver girl and Cowherd, a Chinese myth that dates back to over 2,600 years ago. The Double Seventh Festival (Qixi Festival) is based on this romantic legend, which has been celebrated in China since the Han Dynasty.
The tale of two star-crossed lovers; Zhinü and Niulang, is popular amongst Chinese people of all ages. Forbidden to love by Zhinü’s mother, the goddess of heaven, who separated the two by creating a river between them. Niulang was so heartbroken by being forcibly separated by his love Zhinü that he could only weep. Their love was strong, it moved all of the magpies in the world to take pity on them, and they flew up into heaven to form a bridge over the river, so Niulang and Zhinü could meet on the magpie bridge. The goddess of heaven was also moved by their love, that she allowed them to meet each other on the magpie bridge on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month ever year.
Come Celebrate
At BridgeClimb, we believe that every day of the year is a great day to celebrate something. Find out more about our Daily Climbs, Special Event Climbs, and Celebrations Climbs here.