"Clouds float like works of art; Stars shoot with grief at heart. 
Across the Milky Way the Cowherd meets the Girl Weaver. 

When autumn's Golden Wind embraces Dew of Jade, 
All the love scenes on earth, however many, fade.

Their tender love flows like a stream;
This happy date seems but a dream. 
How can they bear a separate homeward way? 

If love between both sides can last for aye, 
Why need they stay together night and day?"

Immortal at the Magpie bridge by Qin Guan

Some say the Chinese people are practical. Some say the Chinese sky is only an extension of the monotonous life on Earth. If you take a look at the 306 traditional Chinese asterisms, you will find the emperor, officials, buildings and housewares are all set out in the sky. So the sayings are not totally groundless. But that does not mean moving legends are missing in Chinese Sky. The romance of Cowherd (Altair) and Girl Weaver (Vega) is the most famous story that has impressed people for generations. This tragedy was written and re-written many times in widely loved masterpieces of great writers.

Chinese star lore is not restricted to love stories. Heroic pieces like Pan Gu's separation of Heaven and Earth, arrogant Kua Fu's sun chase and desolate life of Chang'e in the Moon all add colour to the Chinese sky. To celebrate the Festival of Seventh Day of Seventh Month, the Hong Kong Space Museum specially presents to you the exhibition on "Chinese Legends of the Sky". You can take this opportunity to relive the romantic legend of Cowherd and Girl Weaver and go through other Chinese constellation stories as well.

Exhibition Period : 7 August 2002 - 19 August 2002
Place : Foyer, Hong Kong Space Museum
Fee : Free admission