Seventh Sister's Birthday
Aug 23, 2012 0:23:45 GMT -5
Post by douglaslam on Aug 23, 2012 0:23:45 GMT -5
Today, according to the lunar calendar is Qīxī Jié七夕節 in Mandarin. We Cantonese have a different name for the occasion; it is Seventh Sister's Birthday 七姊誕 . It is commonly referred to as Chinese Valentine's Day. It is a well-loved fairy tale/ love story. There are many versions with slight variation to the story. The following is a good one to start with www.china.org.cn/english/culture/137956.htm
It is sad to see the occasion is now largely forgotten. When I was small I used to see my grandmother took meticulous care in preparing a sewing kit, a vanity set of facial powder, rouge, and the like as well as food which always included water chesnut to offer Seventh Sister. Grandmother could not read or write, but she never forgot to observe all the traditional festivals, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. I love her dearly.
Now, I am not a romantically inclined person. But I lament the decline of traditions such as this one. It is not about superstition, pagan belief, it is part of the rich tapestry that is Chinese culture.
The mad Chairman tried his best to destroy our heritage and culture, fortunately, there are people out there today who are doing their best to revive old traditions. I am grateful.
There are many, many fine poems written on this romantic story. This one is the grandest of them all.
yauidea.com/blog/?p=653
Regrettably, I can't find an English translation to it. Anyway, it is next to impossible to do the poem justice in translation. My level of Chinese skill is not quite up there to fully appreciate it all. I need extensive footnote to guide me.
仙樂風飄處處聞 This particular line from the poem, with one character altered, is used as the Chinese title of the smashing Julie Andrews' film Sound of Music.
七月七日長生殿， 夜半無人私語時。
在天願作比翼鳥， 在地願為連理枝。
天長地久有時盡， 此恨綿綿無絕期。
The last six lines are often seen as a stand alone poem. The second line 夜半無人私語時 is the Chinese title of the Doris Day / Rock Hudson film Pillow Talk. Such is the popularity and beauty of this epic poem.
It is sad to see the occasion is now largely forgotten. When I was small I used to see my grandmother took meticulous care in preparing a sewing kit, a vanity set of facial powder, rouge, and the like as well as food which always included water chesnut to offer Seventh Sister. Grandmother could not read or write, but she never forgot to observe all the traditional festivals, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. I love her dearly.
Now, I am not a romantically inclined person. But I lament the decline of traditions such as this one. It is not about superstition, pagan belief, it is part of the rich tapestry that is Chinese culture.
The mad Chairman tried his best to destroy our heritage and culture, fortunately, there are people out there today who are doing their best to revive old traditions. I am grateful.
There are many, many fine poems written on this romantic story. This one is the grandest of them all.
yauidea.com/blog/?p=653
Regrettably, I can't find an English translation to it. Anyway, it is next to impossible to do the poem justice in translation. My level of Chinese skill is not quite up there to fully appreciate it all. I need extensive footnote to guide me.
仙樂風飄處處聞 This particular line from the poem, with one character altered, is used as the Chinese title of the smashing Julie Andrews' film Sound of Music.
七月七日長生殿， 夜半無人私語時。
在天願作比翼鳥， 在地願為連理枝。
天長地久有時盡， 此恨綿綿無絕期。
The last six lines are often seen as a stand alone poem. The second line 夜半無人私語時 is the Chinese title of the Doris Day / Rock Hudson film Pillow Talk. Such is the popularity and beauty of this epic poem.
