Qixi (七夕, qī xī) falls on August 19 in 2026. The name translates to "Seventh Sunset" or "Seventh Night" — it's celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which is why the Gregorian date moves around each year. People call it Chinese Valentine's Day, and that comparison gets the general idea across, but the story behind it is its own thing.
The story behind Qixi
The festival comes from a folk tale that's been told in China for over two thousand years: a cowherd named Niulang and a weaver girl named Zhinü. Zhinü was a goddess — by some versions, the granddaughter of the Queen of Heaven — and Niulang was a mortal farmer. They fell in love, married, and had two children. When the Queen of Heaven found out her granddaughter had married a mortal, she dragged Zhinü back to the heavens and tore the sky open between them, creating the Milky Way so Niulang couldn't follow.
The two were only allowed to meet once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, when a flock of magpies forms a bridge across the Milky Way so they can cross to each other. That's the night Qixi marks.
Zhinü was also known as a skilled weaver, which is where some of the older traditions come from — young women used to pray to her for needlework skill and a good marriage, threading needles by moonlight as a test of their hands. Most of that has faded. What's stuck around is the romantic framing: a night for couples to mark love that's survived something, even if that something is just a long week.
Qixi vs. Western Valentine's Day
Both are about romantic love, but they come from different places. Valentine's Day traces back to a Christian saint and has a fixed date — February 14, every year, no exceptions. Qixi follows the lunar calendar, so it shifts within a roughly month-long window each year, landing anywhere from late July to late August. There's no public holiday for it in China, so it's celebrated the way Valentine's Day is in most Western countries — dinner, gifts, time together, work the next day as usual.
It's most widely celebrated in China, with growing recognition in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and across the Chinese diaspora, including in Malaysia.
Flower picks for Qixi
A few arrangements from our current catalog that suit the occasion:
Ainsley Red Rose Bouquet, from RM 168 — the straightforward romantic choice, red roses with silvery eucalyptus, works the same way it would for Valentine's Day.
Red Passion 99 Rose Bouquet, from RM 338 — for the grander gesture. Ninety-nine roses is a full statement, not a subtle one — good for a milestone anniversary or a relationship you want to mark loudly.
Mariana Flower Bouquet, from RM 158 — a softer, mixed alternative if red roses feel too on-the-nose for where the relationship is.
Same-day delivery is available across Klang Valley, Johor Bahru and surrounding areas for orders placed before 4 PM. Because Qixi falls on a Wednesday this year, we'd recommend ordering a day or two ahead if you want a specific morning delivery slot — weekday demand tends to cluster around lunch and after-work hours. Full timing details are on our FAQ page.
Frequently Asked Questions — Qixi Festival
When is Qixi in 2026?
Qixi falls on August 19, 2026, a Wednesday. The date is based on the Chinese lunar calendar (the seventh day of the seventh lunar month), so it shifts each year on the Gregorian calendar, generally falling between late July and late August.
What is Qixi Festival?
Qixi, sometimes called the Double Seventh Festival, is a Chinese festival based on the folk tale of Niulang the cowherd and Zhinü the weaver girl, two lovers separated by the Milky Way who are allowed to meet only once a year. It's widely known as Chinese Valentine's Day.
Is Qixi the same as Valentine's Day?
They share the theme of romantic love, but Qixi has Chinese folklore origins rather than Western/Christian ones, and follows the lunar calendar instead of a fixed date. Qixi is not a public holiday in China, so it's marked similarly to how Valentine's Day is in most Western countries.
What flowers are appropriate for Qixi?
Red roses are the traditional romantic choice, similar to Valentine's Day. Mixed bouquets in softer colors work well if red feels too direct. Premium rose arrangements suit anniversaries or longer-term relationships.
Can I get same-day flower delivery for Qixi?
Yes. Order before 4 PM for same-day delivery across our service areas in Klang Valley, Johor Bahru and surrounding regions. See our FAQ page for time slots and Express Delivery options.