The Tanabata Festival, which means "Star Festival", is held in Japan on July 7th. On this day, all the Japanese make their deepest desires, the fulfillment of which is then awaited with impatience and excitement, because this is facilitated by the two most important stars.
According to legend, this holiday is held in honor of two stars who were madly in love with each other, but by the will of fate were on different banks of the Heavenly River. And they could unite only once a year - on the seventh day of the seventh month. One of the stars was called Altair (Shepherd), the other was Vega, which in Japanese is called Tanabata (Weaver).
On this traditional holiday, the Japanese hang bamboo branches in front of the gates and doors, on which they attach offerings to the stars and long thin paper strips with wishes written on them. The latter are often presented in poetic form, as was done many, many years ago.
Also, five multi-colored threads (white, red, purple, green and black) are attached to the branches, which means a wish for a good harvest. Then the bamboo branches decorated with offerings are thrown into the water of a nearby river to make all wishes come true. According to legend, if it rains on this day, their execution will be postponed for another year.
Decorated bamboo branches can also be seen along rivers or bodies of water, at restaurants and cafes, as well as near hospitals. Next to them there will definitely be blank sheets of paper (tanzaku) and the necessary writing materials. This is done so that no one on this day is left without a fulfilled desire.
Especially a lot of attention is paid to the Tanabata Festival from children, schoolchildren and students. They prepare in advance for this day, composing wishes and decorating bamboo branches with various paper lanterns and talismans.
On the night before the holiday, concerts, dances and performances are held in cities, trays with cooking food are placed everywhere. And the Japanese themselves, dressed in light kimonos, leave their homes to celebrate together the long-awaited meeting of the stars, which brings fulfillment of innermost desires.
