Chapter I. Introduction

The Tanabata Festival, also known as the Beggar's Day, is a bright pearl in Chinese traditional culture. This festival originated from the ancient customs of sun remembrance and the worship of stars and hosts, and after a long precipitation, it has gradually formed a characteristic folklore with the main cultural connotation of women's begging for wisdom and cleverness. Later, with the incorporation of the beautiful myth and legend of the Cowherd and the Weaving Maiden, the Tanabata Festival was endowed with a deeper meaning to symbolize love, and became the traditional Chinese Valentine's Day.

In Chinese traditional culture, the Tanabata Festival occupies a pivotal position. It is not only a festival that promotes love and fidelity, and honors wisdom and skill, but also carries rich historical and cultural information and national spirit. Through the study of the Tanabata Festival, we can gain a deeper understanding of the customs and folklore, values and female culture of the ancient society, so as to further excavate and pass on the excellent traditional Chinese culture. Therefore, the study of this topic has far-reaching significance.

The way of celebrating the Tanabata Festival is also diversified according to different regions and times. From the ancient practice of threading needles to beg for coincidences and worshiping the Weaving Maiden to the modern practice of dating couples and exchanging gifts, the Tanabata Festival has always evolved with the times and maintained a vivid vitality. This diversity and inclusiveness is an important reason why the Tanabata Festival has been able to transcend time and space and remain everlasting.

The Tanabata Festival is also closely connected with food culture. On this special day, people will make all kinds of exquisite festival foods, such as Qiaoguo and Huagua, in order to express their yearning for a better life and their expectation of love. These unique food customs not only enrich the cultural connotation of the Tanabata Festival, but also add a lot of fun to our lives.

As an important part of Chinese traditional festivals, the Tanabata Festival is worthy of in-depth study and exploration in terms of its origin, development and position in Chinese traditional culture. Through the research of this topic, we expect to reveal the cultural value and social significance of the Tanabata Festival in a more comprehensive way, and to contribute to the inheritance and promotion of the excellent traditional Chinese culture.

Chapter II. Historical Origins of the Sunset Festival

2.1 Ancient literature

The Tanabata Festival, as an important festival in Chinese traditional culture, has a profound history, and the records in ancient literature reveal its rich historical and cultural connotations for us.

In the Han Dynasty, the origin of the Tanabata Festival was closely linked to the legend of the Cowherd and the Weaving Maiden. This legend has been recorded in ancient documents, such as 《西京杂记》, which mentions: "Han colorful women often pierced seven-hole needles on the seventh day of the seventh month in the Kaixian building, and people all practiced it." This is the earliest record we have seen in ancient literature about begging for money . This custom embodies the ancient women's pursuit of skill and reverence, and also reflects the social expectations of women's roles at that time.

With the development of the times, the way of celebrating the Tanabata Festival and its cultural connotations have been gradually enriched. In the Tang Dynasty, the Tanabata Festival had become an important festival, and people would carry out various celebrations on this day. There are many chapters describing the Tanabata Festival in ancient poems, such as Bai Juyi's《长恨歌》, which mentions the Tanabata Festival and expresses people's yearning for love and praise for faithful love through the form of poetry . These poems not only add to the romantic flavor of the festival, but also provide us with a window into the ancient way of celebrating the Tanabata Festival.

Dunhuang literature also preserves a large number of records about the Tanabata Festival. These documents reflect the various recreational activities carried out by the people of Dunhuang during the Tanabata Festival, such as the Shangsi Day, the Dragon Boat Festival and the Tanabata Festival. These activities not only enriched people's festival life, but also reflected the ancient Chinese love of amusement and entertainment .

The Tanabata Festival reached its heyday in the Song Dynasty. During this period, the customs of the Tanabata Festival were greatly improved, the festival atmosphere was unprecedentedly lively, and many unprecedented festival objects appeared, such as the mud child Moghulo, the valley board, and the species of raw . These novel festivals not only increased the fun of the festival, but also reflected the customs and aesthetic concepts of Song Dynasty society. Especially, the origin of the festival object of Moghulo is related to the custom of mourning Tamuz in ancient West Asia, which reflects the exchange and fusion of Chinese and Western cultures.

Ancient literature on the Tanabata Festival is rich and varied, not only revealing the historical and cultural connotations of the festival, but also providing valuable information for us to understand the social customs and aesthetic concepts of ancient China. Through the study of these documents, we can gain a deeper understanding of the status and significance of the Tanabata Festival in traditional Chinese culture. At the same time, these records also provide an important historical basis and cultural resources for us to inherit and promote the Tanabata culture.

2.2 Folklore and customs

The Tanabata Festival, a traditional Chinese folk festival, is rich in folk legends and customs. One of the most well-known legends is the story of the Cowherd and the Weaving Maiden. This story was recorded as early as the pre-Qin Dynasty, but it was not until the Han Dynasty that it became closely associated with the Tanabata Festival. According to the legend, the Cowherd and the Weaving Maiden loved each other but were forced to separate for various reasons, and could only meet each other through the Magpie Bridge on the night of the Tanabata Festival every year. This legend not only enriches the cultural connotation of the Tanabata Festival, but also has a far-reaching influence in folk culture .

In terms of the customs of the Tanabata Festival, the activity of begging for dexterity is one of the most important ones. On the night of the Tanabata Festival, girls would pray to the Weaving Maiden to be skillful in order to be able to sew beautiful embroideries and show their intelligence in the future. This custom has led to the Tanabata Festival being called the "Begging for Handicrafts Festival" or the "Daughter's Festival". In addition, there are a variety of Tanabata customs in different regions, such as threading needles to beg for coquettishness, delighting in spiders to respond to coquettishness, casting needles to check coquettishness, etc. These customs reflect people's desire and pursuit of a better life .

The Tanabata Festival not only has a deep cultural heritage in the Han region, but also has different forms of expression in other ethnic regions. For example, in Taiwan, the Tanabata Festival is equally emphasized, and its customs incorporate more maternal elements. The study of the maternal structure of Taiwan's Tanabata custom provides us with a rich cultural perspective, showing the diversity of the Tanabata festival in different regional cultures .

Over time, the love element of the Tanabata Festival has come to the fore. Although the traditional cultural expression of love was relatively obscure in feudal society, the legend of the Cowherd and the Weaving Maiden and the custom of the Tanabata Festival undoubtedly provided young men and women with an opportunity to express their love. In modern society, Tanabata is even known as China's Valentine's Day and has become a special day for lovers to express their love .

In addition to the folklore and customs mentioned above, the Tanabata Festival is also closely linked to local customs such as the astrological calendar and male farming and weaving. For example, in the Doumen area of Chang'an, the Tanabata Festival customs of Shiba Temple show colorful folk beliefs and unique regional cultural characteristics. These customs and beliefs not only enrich the cultural connotation of the Tanabata Festival, but also bring joy and prayers to the local people .

As one of the traditional Chinese folk festivals, the Tanabata Festival, with its folk legends and customs, occupies an important position in Chinese culture. These legends and customs not only show people's yearning for and pursuit of a better life, but also inherit the excellent traditional culture of the Chinese nation. In today's fast-paced society, it is all the more important for us to cherish these traditional cultural heritages and let them take on a new luster in the context of the new era.

Chapter III. Evolution of the sunset as a traditional Valentine's Day

3.1 Changes in the connotation of festivals

The Tanabata Festival, also known as the Beggar's Tree Festival, was originally a traditional festival full of mysterious colors, and its core connotation was not limited to love. However, in the long course of history, with the evolution of culture and the development of society, the festival connotation of the Tanabata Festival has gradually changed, and the association with love has become closer.

In the early history of the Tanabata festival, its main theme was more associated with women's wisdom and skills. In ancient times, women would beg for wisdom and skills from the star Vega on this day, hoping to improve their craftsmanship in this way. This custom reflects the value ancient societies placed on women's skills and demonstrates the role of women in the family and society.

Over time, the connotation of the Tanabata Festival has begun to change. This change is related to a variety of cultural and social factors. On the one hand, the poems and songs of literati and artists often associated the Tanabata Festival with love, and through their works, the association between the Tanabata Festival and love gradually took shape in people's consciousness. On the other hand, with the progress of society and the improvement of women's status, the focus of the Tanabata Festival has begun to expand from a single female skill to the broader realm of emotions and interpersonal relationships.

Especially in modern times, Tanabata has gradually gained prominence as a lover's day. On this day, lovers would give each other gifts, express their love and spend romantic time together. The association of the Tanabata Festival with love reached its peak during this period, and it became a unique "Valentine's Day" in traditional Chinese culture.

This change is not only the evolution of the connotation of the festival, but also reflects the progress of society and culture and the diversification of people's emotional expression. In today's society, Tanabata is no longer just a festival for women to beg for skill, but also a special day full of romance and love.

Although the Tanabata Festival has become increasingly associated with love, its traditional cultural connotations have not completely disappeared. In many places, people still hold some traditional begging activities to honor this ancient festival. These activities not only enrich the form of the festival, but also enable the cultural significance of the Tanabata Festival to be passed on and carried forward.

In a nutshell, the Tanabata Festival, as a traditional festival with a profound historical background, has experienced changes in festival connotation in different historical periods. From the initial begging technique to the romantic Valentine's Day nowadays, the Tanabata Festival has gradually gained prominence in Chinese traditional culture and become an important day for people to express their love and celebrate their love. And this change is a reflection of social and cultural progress and the diversification of people's emotional needs.

In today's society, the Tanabata Festival is not only a traditional festival, but also a cultural symbol that carries people's desire for a better life and expectation of love. Whether it is the ancient custom of begging for coincidences or the modern romantic way of celebrating, all of them show the rich cultural connotation of the Tanabata Festival and people's deep emotion to this festival. Therefore, we should cherish and pass on this traditional festival, so that it can be revitalized in modern society.

The changes in the Tanabata Festival also provide us with a window to observe and understand the evolution of society and culture. By studying the history and current status of the Tanabata Festival, we can gain a deeper understanding of the development and changes in traditional Chinese culture, as well as the changes in people's views and attitudes towards emotions and interpersonal relationships. This is of great significance to our understanding and grasping of contemporary social culture.

3.2 The rise of modern ways of celebrating

In contemporary China, the Tanabata Festival has gradually evolved into a romantic festival that is widely recognized as China's traditional Valentine's Day. This transformation is reflected not only in the connotation of the festival, but also in the rise and diversification of modern ways of celebrating it.

With the development of society and the fusion of cultures, the celebration of the Tanabata Festival has become increasingly modernized and diversified. While traditional customs such as threading needles to beg for coincidences and worshipping the Seven Sisters are still retained in some areas, more young people are choosing more modern and romantic ways of celebrating the festival. Businesses have also recognized this business opportunity and have launched various Tanabata-themed promotional activities, further promoting the atmosphere of Tanabata as a Valentine's Day.

Gift-giving has become one of the most important ways to celebrate the Tanabata Festival. Lovers will give each other flowers, chocolates, jewelry and other gifts that express their love as a way to enhance their relationship. This way of celebrating is simple and direct, but it can deeply touch the hearts of people and make the Tanabata Festival full of romance and warmth.

Dating and gathering has also become a popular activity on the Tanabata Festival. Lovers will choose to have dinner together on this day to enjoy the sweet time in the world of two. Restaurants and coffee shops also offer Tanabata-themed packages and activities to create a romantic dining environment for lovers.

Online celebrations are also on the rise. Through the Internet platform, lovers can send e-cards, make video calls, and even participate in online Tanabata-themed activities. This way of celebrating is not only convenient and fast, but also allows lovers who are far away to feel the festive atmosphere and each other's care.

The Tanabata Festival has been given the meaning of Valentine's Day not only because of its romantic legends and connotations, but also because of the promotion of modern society and the cultural recognition of young people. On this day, lovers can express their love and enjoy the sweetness and happiness of love. At the same time, the Tanabata Festival has also become a cultural symbol, representing the charm of traditional Chinese culture and the romantic feelings of young people.

The rise of the Tanabata Festival as a Valentine's Day also reflects the contemporary young people's renewed awareness and love for traditional culture. By innovating and transforming traditional customs, they have given the Tanabata Festival new vitality and vigor. This cultural inheritance and innovation not only enriches the connotation and form of the festival, but also promotes the spread and development of traditional culture.

In general, the Tanabata Festival is celebrated in modern society in a variety of ways, including traditional customs preserved and modern romantic expressions. These celebrations not only make the Tanabata Festival more vivid and interesting, but also make it a festival full of love and warmth. Through the celebration of the Tanabata Festival, we can feel the charm of traditional Chinese culture and young people's pursuit and yearning for love.

Chapter IV. Impact and value of the Sunset Festival in contemporary society

4.1 Cultural heritage and promotion

The Tanabata Festival, as an important festival in Chinese traditional culture, carries rich historical and cultural connotations and national spirit. In today's era, this festival not only still maintains its unique charm, but also plays a pivotal role in cultural inheritance and promotion.

The cultural inheritance of the Tanabata Festival is reflected at several levels. First, through folk legends and customs passed down from generation to generation, the Tanabata Festival passes on ancient cultural memories to future generations. These legends and customs, such as the love story of the Cowherd and the Weaving Maiden and the traditional skill of threading needles and begging for coquettish objects, are precious treasures in the cultural treasury of the Chinese nation. They are reawakened on the Tanabata Festival, allowing people to celebrate the festival while feeling the profound heritage of traditional culture.

The cultural heritage of the Tanabata Festival is also reflected in literary works such as poems and songs. Throughout the ages, countless literati and writers have created a large number of popular masterpieces on the theme of the Tanabata Festival. These works not only enrich the cultural connotation of the Tanabata Festival, but also provide a way for future generations to understand and pass on the traditional culture. Through reading and appreciating these literary works, people can gain a deeper understanding of the historical origin and cultural significance of the Tanabata Festival, thus enhancing their sense of identity and belonging to traditional culture.

The Tanabata Festival also plays an important role in promoting the outstanding traditional Chinese culture. With the deepening of globalization, exchanges between the cultures of different countries have become increasingly frequent. Against this background, the Tanabata Festival, as one of the representatives of traditional Chinese culture, has demonstrated to the world the unique charm and profound heritage of Chinese culture. By organizing various forms of Tanabata Festival cultural activities, such as traditional skills demonstrations, cultural performances and folklore experiences, not only can it attract the attention and participation of domestic and foreign tourists, but also promote the international dissemination and recognition of Chinese culture.

The Tanabata Festival also plays an important role in promoting cultural identity in contemporary society. Under the wave of globalization, cultural diversity is becoming more and more prominent, but it also brings challenges to cultural identity. As a cultural symbol and spiritual bond shared by the Chinese nation, the Tanabata Festival helps to strengthen national cohesion and cultural self-confidence. Whether at home or overseas, Chinese nationals celebrate the Tanabata Festival to remember their ancestors, pass on their culture and contact their hometowns, thus deepening their sense of identity and belonging to Chinese culture.

The Tanabata Festival plays an irreplaceable role in cultural inheritance and promotion. It not only carries rich historical and cultural connotations and national spirit, but also passes on traditional culture to future generations through various forms and shows the unique charm of Chinese culture to the world. At the same time, the Tanabata Festival also promotes the enhancement of cultural identity and national cohesion in contemporary society, injecting new vitality into the inheritance and development of Chinese culture.

4.2 Social functions and impacts

As a traditional Chinese festival, the Tanabata Festival carries many functions and influences in contemporary society, especially in promoting emotional exchanges and strengthening family ties. This festival is not just a simple anniversary, but also a meeting point of culture, family and emotion.

In terms of emotional communication, the Tanabata Festival provides a special time for people to express their feelings more directly and sincerely. On this day, many people will choose to send gifts, write love letters or directly confess their love for their loved ones as a way of conveying their deep feelings for them. This traditional way of celebrating not only enhances the relationship between couples, but also provides an opportunity for singles to meet new people and find a partner. Through various social activities and gatherings, people are able to exchange ideas and share their moods in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, thus deepening their mutual understanding and friendship.

The Tanabata festival is also an important bond for family ties. On this special day, family members get together to celebrate this traditional festival. By making festive food and telling stories about the Tanabata festival, family members not only enjoy the warmth of kinship, but also deepen their emotional ties with each other. For young people working or studying abroad, the Tanabata Festival is even a good time to go home for reunion, and they can take advantage of this festival to go back to their parents and spend happy time with their family members, thus enhancing the cohesion and sense of belonging of the family.

The Tanabata Festival also has a deeper social function. It is not only a festival to celebrate love, but also an important platform to promote the excellent traditional Chinese culture and transmit positive energy. Through various celebrations and publicity, people can more deeply understand and feel the profoundness of Chinese culture, so as to enhance cultural self-confidence and national pride. At the same time, the Tanabata Festival also advocates the concept of fidelity, sincerity and purity of love, which is of positive significance in guiding the social atmosphere and promoting the construction of spiritual civilization.

In contemporary society, with the development of technology and the accelerated pace of life, the distance between people seems to be getting farther and farther. The Tanabata Festival, as a traditional festival with deep cultural connotations, provides an opportunity for people to slow down and focus on their emotions and families. Through the celebration of this festival, people can revisit their emotional life and strengthen their ties with family and friends, thus enriching their spiritual world.

The Tanabata Festival carries multiple functions and influences in contemporary society. It not only promotes emotional exchanges and strengthens family ties, but also carries forward the excellent traditional Chinese culture and conveys positive energy. Therefore, we should cherish and pass on this traditional festival, so that it can play a greater role in modern society.

Chapter V. Conclusion

The Tanabata Festival, a traditional Chinese festival full of romance and legend, has experienced rich evolution and development in the long course of history. From the ancient documents, we can see the deep historical and cultural heritage of the Tanabata Festival, whose origin is closely linked to astronomical phenomena, and the subsequent folk legends and customs have added a strong folkloric color to it. With the passage of time, the Tanabata Festival has gradually evolved from a single begging custom to an important festival closely related to love, becoming the traditional Chinese Valentine's Day.

In modern society, the Tanabata Festival is celebrated in increasingly diversified ways, not only carries the essence of traditional culture, but also integrates the elements of modern society, so that this ancient festival has been revitalized. Tanabata is not only a festival to celebrate love, but also a carrier of cultural inheritance and promotion, which allows people to stop in the busy modern life, recall the flavor of traditional culture, feel the unique Chinese romance.

The function of the Tanabata Festival in contemporary society should not be overlooked. It provides a platform for emotional exchange, promotes communication and understanding between people, and strengthens the ties between family and society. In the context of globalization, the Tanabata Festival has even become an important window to show the charm of the excellent traditional Chinese culture, allowing the world to learn more about and know more about Chinese traditional culture.

As a traditional Chinese Valentine's Day, Tanabata not only has rich historical and cultural connotations, but also plays an important role in contemporary society. It is both an emotional bond and a cultural bridge, connecting the past with the future and passing on the cultural genes of the Chinese nation. The significance of the Tanabata Festival lies not only in celebrating love, but also in promoting traditional culture and social harmony and development.