Tanabata (七夕, “Evening of the Seventh”) is a Japanese festival held on July 7th. It is analogous to the Chinese Qixi Festival and the Korean Chilseok, which are also both held on July 7t. All three celebrations originate from the same myth. Orihime and Hikoboshi, represented by the stars of Vega and Altair, are normally separated by the Milky Way. However, on June 7th, they can meet for just one day out of the year.
In the myth, Orihime (織姫, “Weaving Princess”) is the daughter of Tentei (天帝, “Sky King”) and weaves beautiful cloth by the bank of the river Amanogawa (天の川, Milky Way, lit. “Heavenly River”). Although she enjoyed her weaving, she was saddened because the constant work meant she had no opportunity to find love. Concerned for his daughter, Tentei arranged for her to meet Hikoboshi (彦星, Cowherd Star). As typical of a fairytale, it was love at first sight, fell for each other instantly, and got married. However, because they were so enamored with each other, Orihime neglected her weaving while Hikoboshi neglected his cattle. Enraged, Tentei separated them on opposite banks of the river and forbade them from the meeting. However, Orihime became distraught without her husband. Taking pity on her, her father allowed them to meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month. However, when Orihime came on the 7th, she could not cross the Milky Way because there was no bridge. A flock of magpies heard her crying and offered to form a bridge out of their wings. But if it rains on the day of Tanabata, then the magpies won’t come and the two must wait another year to meet again.
The Chinese version of the story replaces Tentei with the Goddess of Heaven, who is sometimes Orihime’s (in this version called Zhinü) mother. In this version, the Goddess creates the Milky Way (called the Silver River) by scoring the heavens with her hairpin. Zhinü and her husband also have two children, represented by the stars β and γ Aquilae.
Tanabata is celebrated by writing wishes on small pieces of paper called tanzaku (短冊) and hanging them from bamboo.
Tanabata written in the stars
kavya seth
MONTHLY FABLE: JUNE
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