Gyeonwoo and Jiknyeo: The Once-a-Year Reunion | Chilseok in Korea

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In Korea, the seventh day of the seventh lunar month is called Chilseok, a traditional seasonal festival associated with the legendary lovers Gyeonwoo and Jiknyeo.

Separated by the Milky Way, they are said to meet only once a year with the help of magpies forming the Ojakgyo Bridge.

In this article, we explore their legend, Korean Chilseok traditions, the meaning of Chilseok Rain, and how this seasonal tradition is celebrated in neighboring China and Japan.

JIRO SEASONAL TRADITIONS SPECIAL #003 CHILSEOK

JIRO SEASONAL TRADITIONS SPECIAL #003 CHILSEOK

The Legend of Gyeonwoo and Jiknyeo

Jiknyeo was the granddaughter of the Heavenly God.

She was a skilled weaver and a hardworking young woman.

The Heavenly God arranged for her to marry 
Gyeonwoo, a cowherd known as “Hago,”
who lived on the other side of the Milky Way.

The two fell in love at first sight, and their love grew so deep that they eventually got married.

However, caught up in the joys of newlywed life, the couple began to neglect their duties.
The Heavenly God was furious and separated them once again, placing the Milky Way between them.

Afterward, they were allowed to be together only once a year—
on Chilseok, the seventh day of the seventh lunar month.

The Legend of Gyeonwoo and Jiknyeo, Told Through Comics

The Legend of Gyeonwoo and Jiknyeo, Told Through Comics

The Birth of the Ojakgyo Bridge

Separated by the Milky Way,
Gyeonwoo and Jiknyeo were unable to meet
even on Chilseok, the seventh day of 
the seventh lunar month.
Seeing their plight, the magpies on Earth
flew up to the sky and formed a bridge 
by connecting their heads.

This bridge came to be known as Ojakgyo,
meaning “the bridge built by magpies.”
It is said that after Chilseok has passed,
the magpies return to Earth with the feathers on their heads gone,
having used them to form the bridge.

Origins

Every year, Chilseok falls at a time when two stars, separated by the Milky Way, appear to come closest to one another.
This celestial phenomenon is believed to have given rise to the legend.

Historical records also tell us that King Gongmin of Goryeo and Queen Noguk offered rituals to the Cowherd and Weaver stars, suggesting that Chilseok customs had already become widely established during the Goryeo Dynasty.

Chilseok Traditions Across Korea’s Regions Cheongsong, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Chilseok was traditionally considered an auspicious day, as it is a day when the positive number seven is repeated.

At dawn or at night on Chilseok, women would prepare an offering table
with a sewing box containing thread, needles, and scissors, along with cucumbers and 
Korean melons. 
They would then bow and pray for their sewing skills to improve.

In Cheongsong, Gyeongsangbuk-do,
people believed that secretly stitching
the hem of their husband’s clothes
with a threaded needle would make
their wishes come true.

Chilseok Traditions Across Korea’s Regions_Daejeon

People also held Chilseok rituals to pray for the well-being of their villages and a bountiful harvest.

In Daejeon, villagers performed a Chilseok ritual in front of the zelkova tree in Gwaegok-dong, which was believed to watch over and protect the village.

 

They also looked to the tree to predict whether the year would bring
a good harvest or a poor one.

It was said that if the tree’s new leaves emerged all at once in spring, a bountiful harvest was expected.
Otherwise, people believed the year would bring a poor harvest.

Chilseok Traditions

Another widely practiced Chilseok tradition was "Chilseok Gosa", a ritual performed to pray for the long lives of one’s descendants.

In this ritual, women prepared an offering table at the jangdokdae, the outdoor platform where traditional Korean earthenware jars were kept, and bowed in prayer.

At times, this ritual was associated not with Chilseok(“the seventh evening”) but with Chilseong(“the Seven Stars”), as people prayed to the Big Dipper for longevity.

In some regions, including Chungcheong-do, 
people reportedly laid straw in the shape of a cross in the middle of the courtyard, 
prepared simple offerings, and bowed in prayer to the Big Dipper on Chilseok.

Chilseok Traditions in Korea’s Neighboring Countries - China

In China, Chilseok Is Also Celebrated on the Seventh Day of the Seventh Lunar Month!

In China, Chilseok is also known as Qixi, or the “Chinese Valentine’s Day.”
People express their feelings to someone they like or exchange gifts with their partners.

It is also believed that couples who marry on this day will enjoy a long and happy marriage, so many choose Qixi to register their marriage.

People also make and eat a traditional pastry called qiaoguo, made with ingredients such as oil, flour, sugar, and honey, while wishing for 
peace and a happy married life.

Chilseok Traditions in Korea’s Neighboring Countries - Japan

In Japan, Tanabata Is Celebrated on July 7!

In Japan, Tanabata festivals are held in communities across the country.

People write their wishes on colorful strips of paper and hang them on bamboo branches, or look for shooting stars and make a wish.

Different Wishes, Different Colors of Paper!

Red: Wishes to express gratitude to parents or ancestors

Blue: Wishes for personal growth

Yellow: Wishes related to relationships, such as friendship

White: Wishes related to personal goals and determination

Black: Wishes for academic improvement

Traditional Seasonal Folk Song: “Chilseok Song”

Tonight, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month,
Gyeonwoo and Jiknyeo will finally meet again,

rejoicing in each other’s presence after a year apart on Ojakgyo,
the bridge across the Milky Way.

Aya, aya, how wonderful!
The Chilseok celebration is even more delightful!

(Excerpted)

Predicting Their Reunion Through the Rain

Rain that falls on Chilseok is called “Chilseok Rain.”

It is said to be the tears that Gyeonwoo 
and Jiknyeo shed out of overwhelming joy 
at their reunion.
Rain that falls the following morning, meanwhile, is said to be their tears of sorrow as they part once again.

Chilseok is more than a story about two lovers meeting once a year.

From the magpies that build a bridge across the Milky Way to the rain said to be their tears, the tradition reflects hopes for reunion, love, family, health, and happiness.

So, this Chilseok, why not look up at the night sky and think of someone you wish to meet again?