Tanabata, the Star Festival

 

According to folklore, on the 7th day of the 7th month, two stars cross the river of the Milky Way  to meet again after a year apart. They are the stars Altair and Vega, part of the Summer Triangle,  along with the star Deneb.

You can read more about the Summer Triangle here.  

It  is a story about two married lovers--Orihime and Hikoboshi, the Weaver and the Cowherd.  

You can read their story, here.

Their meeting is celebrated throughout  China and Japan. The actual date may vary, but it usually begins on the 7th day of the 7th month according to the Gregorian calendar. Tanabata is a summer festival of magic and romance and ripening rice fields---an evening of lanterns, beautiful colors, dances and fireflies! 

In case of rain,  and the lovers cannot meet, their reunion is postponed for another year. 

Hope for clear skies tonight!