Paradox Blog

Neu Lung and Zi Nu lived apart from each other across the Milky Way. Neu Lung is part of the constellation Aquila and Zi Nu part of the Lyra. On the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, it is said that the magpies would build a bridge across the Milky Way to connect the two constellations so that the two deities could meet.

Zi Nu, the Weaver Woman, so named for her duty of weaving the colorful satin that covered the sky at dawn and dusk was the 7th daughter of the Jade Emperor who ruled the heavenly court. Neu Lung, the Cattle Keeper, tended and watched the heavenly cattle for the heaven dwelling deities. When Zi Nu reached her suitable age for marriage, Neu Lung courted her. While the courtship was in progress, the two often ran off for their romantic rendezvous and ignored their works. When the sky remained a dull gray for days and the cattle wandered around and trampled the Jade Emperor's garden, the Emperor got angry and ordered Magpie to bring back the two lovers.

The Jade Emperor's message was that Neu Lung and Zi Nu should only see each other every seventh day. Magpie who had a long tongue but short memories flew out to search for the two. To memorize the Emperor's decree, Magpie recited to himself "to meet only every seventh day" repeatedly while flying. Finally Magpie caught sight of Neu Lung and Zi Nu. Excitedly, Magpie squawked. "You are in big trouble. The Jade Emperor is very mad and he demanded that you two report back to him right away. And he said your are not to see each other until, until..." Magpie paused, forgetting what the message was. Magpie searched his memory for a while then continued, "the seventh day." But not sure of himself, he soon corrected, "no, the seventh month." Even more unsure, he corrected himself one more time, "no, the seventh day of the seven month." And feeling this was the one message that covered all ground, he reassured himself and the two condemned, "yes, you are to meet only on the seventh day of the seventh month of each year."

What a shock it was to Neu Lung and Zi Nu. Only once a year could they meet. It was a cruel punishment. They sadly separated from each other and returned to their homes a milky way apart. Magpie, thinking he had accomplished his mission, joyously reported back to the Jade Emperor. When the Jade Emperor heard what had happened, he was surprised but he had no intention to change the punishment. He was never lenient and did not wish to appear so but he was still angry at Magpie's incompetence. He ordered Magpie and his offspring to build a bridge across the Milky Way on the seventh day of the seventh month each year to connect the constellations Aquila and Lyra so that Neu Lung and Zi Nu could easily be reunited on that day.

Perhaps you have seen them on a summer night when the sky is clear, the milky way shimmering like a floating river, Neu Lung at home on the Aquila and Zi Nu on Lyra, longingly gazing toward each other and looking forward to the day they could meet again.