Ancient Chinese Qixi customs recorded in traditional Chinese paintings
The Qixi Festival, also known as the Begging‑for‑Skills Festival, carries unique traditional Chinese folk culture. A series of ancient Chinese scroll paintings including Palace Begging‑for‑Skills Painting, Moon‑Manor Leisure Paintings and Yaotai Moon‑viewing Scroll record rich festival customs celebrated by ancient Chinese people.
Originating from ancient stellar worship, Qixi centers on the legendary romance of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. In ancient times, women held various “begging‑for‑skills” rituals on Qixi night. They threaded seven‑hole needles, cast needles into water to test ingenuity, laid out fruits for sacrificial offerings and prayed to the Weaver Girl for improved hand‑craft skills. Noble ladies in imperial palaces and ordinary folk women both took part in these festive activities.
Hand‑scroll paintings from Tang, Song and Ming dynasties preserve vivid festival scenes. Paintings depict ladies gathering under moonlight, doing needlework rituals, preparing festival offerings and enjoying festive banquets. These artworks offer valuable visual materials for modern‑day researchers studying ancient folk customs.
Today, people revisit these ancient paintings to trace traditional cultural roots. Qixi inherits fine cultural traditions and represents ancient Chinese people's longing for happy life and sincere affections. The festival remains a significant part of China's intangible cultural heritage.
Editor：韩蒙蒙