Tian Xian Pei

Tian Xian Pei (Chinese: 天仙配; pinyin: Tiānxiān pèi), sometimes translated as Fairy Couple, is a Chinese legend, which existed as oral traditions before any written compilation. It has since become a major subject of several Chinese opera, films and TV series.

Story

The seven daughters of the Jade Emperor travel to the mortal world. The youngest of the seventh fairy maiden was in search of her lost weaving equipment and the " feather coat " - without which she was unable to fly. Another version of story states that the seventh fairy's flying " feather coat " was actually taken by a mortal named Dong Yong on purpose, advised by his cattle - which happened to be an exiled fairy as well and undercover the form of a normal old bull. During the staying the maiden falls in love with Dong Yong, a poor worker who had sold himself into servitude to pay for his father's funeral. With help of the other fairies, the seventh fairy managed to weave ten pieces of brocade for Dong Yong to pay off his debt, shortening his indenture to 100 days. Before the couple can begin their life together, the Jade Emperor orders his daughters to return home, however kind enough to allow the couple reunite only once a year at the 七夕 (the 7th evening) - later known as the traditional Chinese Qixi Festival across the Milky Way.

The ancient Chinese astrologer named two of the observed far apart star 牛郎 (literally 'shepherd man') and 織女 (literally 'weaving girl') - nowadays recognized as Altair and Vega in memory of this story.

Characters

See also

Adaptations

Films

Year Production Additional information
1956 Mainland China Fairy Couple (天仙配)
1963 Mainland China A Maid from Heaven (七仙女)

Television series

Year Production Additional information
1997 Mainland China New Fairy Couple (新天仙配)
2005 Chinese Entertainment Shanghai (Mainland China)The Little Fairy (天外飛仙)
Beijing Advantages Competition International Culture and Arts & Jiangxi TV Co., Ltd. (Mainland China) Huan Tian Xi Di Qi Xian Nu (歡天喜地七仙女)
2007 Mainland China Fairy Couple (天仙配)
2010 Mainland China Tian Di Yin Yuan Qi Xian Nu (Tian Xian Pei II) (天地姻缘七仙女(七仙女2))