Cultural tips

In China, magpies are considered auspicious birds. When the spring arrives, they gather on the branches and chirp. Upon hearing this Chinese people would be pleased and say “Magpies bring good news”. Their chirpings are not only considered pleasant to the ears but are also thought to foretell good news and the arrival of guests.
According to folklores, there is a moving story about magpies. Every year, July 7 on the lunar calendar is a day for the Cowherd and his wife the Weaver Girl to meet in the sky. To enable the Cowherd to cross the Milky Way to meet his beloved wife, thousands of magpies fly together and form a bridge connecting the two lovers. Chinese people call this bridge 鹊桥(quèqiáo), which means magpie bridge. Nowadays, many marriage agencies, television programs and other matchmaking activities often use the name 鹊桥 (quèqiáo).