China

Qixi, or the Seventh Night Festival, is China's equivalent to Valentine's Day, falling on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month each year. According to Chinese legend, Zhinu, the daughter of a heavenly king, and Niulang, a humble cowherd, fell in love, married, and had twins. When Zhinu's father found out about their marriage, he dispatched his queen to return Zhinu to the stars. Hearing Niulang's and the children's tears, the monarch agreed to allow Zhinu and Niulang to meet once a year on Qixi.

During Qixi, young ladies make melon and other fruit gifts to Zhinu in the hopes of finding a nice husband. Couples also visit temples to seek happiness and success. People look to the heavens at night to see stars Vega and Altair (Zhinu and Niulang, respectively) draw close during the star-crossed couple's annual reunion.