There are many names for this annual event “Celestial Lovers Day, Star Festival, and China’s version of Valentines Day”  but in Japan “Tanabata” is a pretty special and incredibly colorful event. Un  festival romántica!

Tanabata, meaning- evening of the seventh,  is considered to be a mixture of Chinese and Japanese traditions.   It was introduced into Japan in the 8th century and became very popular folkore during the Edo Period or Tokugawa Period (1603 to 1868).

The story is about two lovers, Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair), separated by their families they can only meet across the Milky Way once a year on the night of July 7th.    The first time they tried to meet they realized they could not cross the river because there was no bridge.   Orihime (Vega) cried so much that a flock of birds called “Magpies” came and promised to make a bridge with their wings so that she could cross the river.   It is said that if it rains on Tanabata, the birds cannot come and the two lovers must wait until another year to meet.   How sad…

Today Japan, people generally celebrate this day by writing heartfelt wishes on small pieces of paper called “tanzaku”, hang them on a bamboo pole along with other decorations.  You write your special wish on a piece of paper and at midnight you burn it either in a lamp that you let float down a river or in a bonfire. I hope and pray your one true wish will come true!

Enjoy the video…you’ll get a better understanding of the celebration.