<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><mads xmlns="http://www.loc.gov/mads/" xmlns:mods="http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.loc.gov/mads/
mads.xsd"><authority><topic authority="http://AATesaurus.cultura.gencat.cat/aat/getty_en">Double Seventh Festival</topic></authority><related type="broader"><topic>Chinese festivals</topic></related><variant type="other"><topic>Chinese Valentine&apos;s Day</topic></variant><variant type="other"><topic>Qiqiao Festival</topic></variant><variant type="other"><topic>Qixi Festival</topic></variant> <note xml:lang="en"><![CDATA[ Chinese festival celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, primarily focused on prayers by women for dexterity in needlework and a happy marriage. The festival has its origin in astronomical rituals of early Chinese people, particularly the Western Han Dynasty (206 BCE-8 CE). The stars Altair and Vega came to represent the legendary lovers Niu Lang (the Cowherd) and Zhi Nu (the Weaver Girl). Observances include offering fruits to the goddess, threading seven-hole needles, watching stars in the sky, and laying clothes to dry in a tower. ]]></note></mads>