The 7th day of the 7th lunar month marks the traditional festival of Qixi and this year falls on Saturday 14th August. The festival celebrates the love story between an ancient cowherd and a weaver. According to the Chinese folk tale Zhinu, symbolizing the star Vega, was forbidden to love Niulang, symbolizing the star Altair. As such they were banished to opposite ends of the heavenly river, or the Milky Way. Once a year however a flock of magpies would form a bridge reuniting the lovers for one day only. It has since been celebrated as the day of lovers and a time to reunite with loved ones.

We’re celebrating in loved-up shades of pink and red with our most romantic of blooms.

“Clouds float like works of art;
Stars shoot with grief at heart.
Across the Milky Way the Cowherd meets the Maid
When Autumn’s Golden wind embraces dew of jades,
All the love scenes on earth, however many, fade
Their tender love flows like a stream;
This happy date seems but a dream.
Can they bear a separate homeward way?
If love between both sides can last for aye,
Why need they stay together night and day?”