农历七月初七七夕节
The seventh day of the seventh lunar month marks the Qixi Festival．
又叫“乞巧节”“女儿节”
It is also known as the＂Qiqiao Festival＂ or the＂Daughters＇ Festival＂．
千百年来
For thousands of years，
它一直是属于中国女孩们的
it has been a special day
专属日子
dedicated to Chinese girls．
传说中
According to legend，
织女是天上的巧手仙女
the Weaving Maid is a celestial fairy blessed with masterful craftsmanship．
她编织云霞心灵手巧
She weaves rosy cloud brocades， sharp‑witted and deft‑fingered，
是女性智慧与勤劳的化身
embodies women＇s wisdom and diligence．
每逢七夕
Every Qixi，
女孩们便在月光下穿针引线
girls thread needles under the moonlight，
比赛谁的手最巧、眼最准
competing to see who has the nimblest hands and keenest eyes．
她们摆上瓜果，焚香祈福
They lay out fruits， burn incense and offer prayers，
向织女祈求一双巧手、一颗慧心
begging the Weaving Maid for deft hands and a perceptive mind．
还有喜蛛应巧、投针验巧……
There are also customs such as judging ingenuity by observing lucky spiders， and testing needle‑skill by dropping needles into water…
每一个习俗的背后
Behind each tradition
是姑娘们用自己的双手
lies young women’s aspiration and resolve
经营好生活的心意与志气
to build a fulfilling life with their own hands．
古时候有一双巧手
In ancient times， having deft hands
就等于有了过好生活的本领
meant possessing the capability to live a good life．
姑娘们在针线里磨练耐心
Girls cultivated patience through needlework，
互相帮衬
supporting one another．
她们求“巧”
What they begged for when seeking＂ingenuity＂
求的是专注是独立
was concentration and independence．
这份勤劳、自立、自强的劲头
This spirit of diligence， self‑reliance and self‑improvement
一直延续到今天
has carried on to this day．
今日七夕节
On today’s Qixi Festival，
我们致敬每一位用巧手和智慧
we pay tribute to every Chinese woman
点亮生活的中国女性
who brightens life with her deft hands and wisdom．
（Lu Xiaohan）
