The RESources page of the summer issue of Quest suggests that stargazing presents a unique opportunity to experience the mystery and wonder of life and to contemplate our place in the larger scheme of things. The awesomeness of the universe is not diminished by our modern scientific understanding and technology. If anything, such knowledge enhances the magnificence of all creation, and calls even more for our care and attention.
Before the days of modern astronomy, star gazers made up stories to give meaning to what they saw in the skies. One such legend, which comes from China, grew into a festival which is celebrated each summer in Japan. The festival is called Tanabata and the legend goes like this:
Long ago, when the world was young, one bright star from the constellation of the Eagle came don to earth disguised as a cowherd. He was the star , Altair. One day Altair heard a voice saying, "See those seven maidens bathing in the stream? The loveliest one is Vega, brightest star in the constellation of the Harp. She and her six sisters weave the garments of the gods, and have left their looms to come down to bathe in this stream."
Altair looked and saw the lovely Vega. Her beauty and grace charmed him, and so it was that the herdsman and the waving maiden fell in love. For three years the star people lived happily together on the beautiful earth.
Meanwhile the loom of heaven was neglected; no garments were woven for the gods. The heavenly herds wandered untended. Greatly angered, the gods ordered the lovers to return at once to their heavenly duties. But neither Altair nor Vega obeyed, for they cherished their earthly lives. In a fit of fury the Heavenly Mother-in-law took out her great silver hairpin and swiftly drew through the heavens a line that caused a turbulent river to separate the lovers. So swift and treacherous were the waters that neither could cross. They were forced to live on opposite sides of the river that became known as the Milky Way.
For years and years the tragic lovers grieved for one another. Finally the story of their longing reached the Jade Emperor on his heavenly throne and, in his mercy, he decreed that on one day of each year, on the seventh day of the seventh moon when their constellations drew near together, the lovers could be reunited. The birds in their joy flew up to create a bridge for Vega to cross to her lover. And so it still happens that each year, on the 7th of July, the people of Japan hold the romantic and joyous festival of Tanabata in honor the reunited couple.
Today Japanese children flock to the streets on July 7 carrying bright lanterns and colorful streamers. Branches of trees or tall standards are decorated with long strips of pastel colored paper, or intricately folded paper flowers, stars and birds. Poetry, which has been composed for this day, is also hung with these streamers. This festival is also celebrated in China, where the names of the lovers are Ci'ien Niu, the boy and Chih Nu, the star maiden.

The Japan/New Zealand Tanabata Project
One of the great ways that the worldwide web can bring people together is through educational exchange programs like the Tanabata Project. In this on-line exchange project, students from ten schools in Japan and 9 schools in New Zealand exchange local folklore and scientific observations to learn about differences between the hemispheres, and native legends associated with celestial constellations. Your family might like to try some of the same activities these children are doing. If you are a Southern Hemisphere CLF family, and would like to engage in this kind of exchange with a Northern Hemisphere CLF family, let me know and I'll get you together.
Activities to choose from:
1. Research legends relating to stars, moon, planets from your culture, or a culture of your choosing within your hemisphere.
2. Choose a star, constellation, planet etc. which is visible in your night sky and write a modern day legend to explain characteristics and position of the star in the sky.
3. Write a story about setting a new city on the star Altair or Vega. What would you need? How would you design it? How would you plan for fresh, air, water, food? How would you transport people?
4. Make a star chart or map in your city or town one night. Make sure to mark the position of Altair and Vega as well as constellations like the Big Dipper and Orion. (This is a particularly interesting thing to share with someone from a different hemisphere.)
5. Research ways fables have been shown in art forms, such as weaving, embroidery, paintings etc. (In New Zealand the children research Maori art designs that explain Maori legends, such as the Stairway to Heaven.) Create your own design or pattern to represent your legend or a legend you learn about.
If you would like to find out more about the Japan/New Zealand Tanabata Project, look for their homepage on the worldwide web or contact me (email: bwilliams@clf.org).

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Last updated May 24, 2002 by clf@uua.org