The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl

By Evan Mantyk & Ariel Tian

The tale of “The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl” is one of the most cherished love stories from ancient China. It has been retold countless times in literature, onstage, and on screen.

In Shen Yun Performing Arts’ 2025 world tour, the story of “The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl” is brought to life once again, and this time in fabulous style you don’t want to miss. 

The Weaver Girl, after descending to the mortal world for a bath, had her celestial robe stolen by the Cowherd’s old ox, leaving her with no choice but to marry the Cowherd. However, their union was not accepted by the celestial court. The powerful goddess known as the Queen Mother of the West sent celestial soldiers to take the Weaver Girl away and used her hairpin to create the Milky Way, separating the lovers forever.

Indeed, the two lovers are now associated with two far apart stars in Chinese astrology.  

The earliest recorded mention of “The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl” dates back to the ancient Book of Songs (Shijing), which states:

High above in Heaven, shines the Milky Way
A girl is up there weaving, tireless all day.

This poem describes the Cowherd Star, known today in the West as Altair, and the Weaver Girl Star, known as Vega, which are separated by the Milky Way. They gaze at each other across the celestial river—one star in the east of the night’s sky and the other in the west.

Yet, according to the legend, the Cowherd’s deep love and unwavering devotion ultimately moved the heavens, and the Queen Mother granted them permission to reunite once a year on the Double Seventh Festival. On this day once a year, the seventh day of the seventh month in the traditional lunar calendar, they cross a bridge of fluttering magpies to reunite and ease their longing. This festival, also known as Qixi (“chee-shee”), today often falls in August and is thought of as a Chinese St. Valentine’s Day. 

For those who have yet to see Shen Yun this year, don’t miss the 2025 program’s touching performance of “The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl!” 

This Valentine’s Day, Shen Yun Collections invites you to revisit this enchanting legend. We wish you a beautiful and romantic celebration with the timeless tale of the “Cowherd and the Weaver Girl story!”