Altair and Vega: The Love Story Behind Two Stars

Two lovers, one river of stars, one night a year. The story of Altair and Vega.

13 February 20263 min read

Short answer: In an old Chinese folk tale, Vega is the weaver girl and Altair is the cowherd. They fell in love, but the Milky Way was placed between them. Once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, magpies make a bridge so they can meet. China celebrates that night as Qixi. Japan has a similar festival, Tanabata.

What is the story of Altair and Vega?

The weaver girl, Zhinü, was a goddess who wove the clouds. The cowherd, Niulang, was a mortal. They met, fell in love and married. When the heavens found out, she was taken back to the sky. A river of stars, the Milky Way, was drawn between them. Their love moved the magpies, who fly up once a year to build a bridge. On that night, the two meet again.

Is the story in the real sky?

Yes, and that's the lovely part. Vega and Altair really do sit on either side of the Milky Way. On a dark summer night in the north, you can see the faint band of the Milky Way running between them.

	Vega	Altair
Constellation	Lyra	Aquila
In the story	The weaver girl	The cowherd
Brightness	One of the brightest stars in the sky	Bright, easy to spot
Best seen (north)	Summer and autumn evenings, high up	Summer and autumn evenings

How do I find Vega and Altair?

Look for the Summer Triangle. It's three bright stars: Vega, Altair and Deneb. Vega is the brightest and highest. Altair is lower, with a fainter star on each side. In the northern hemisphere it's an easy sight from July to October. From Australia, Altair is easy; Vega sits low in the north.

When is Qixi and Tanabata?

Qixi falls on the seventh day of the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar, so the date changes each year, usually in August. Tanabata is usually 7 July in Japan, with some places using an August date.

Why do couples love this story?

Because most love stories aren't about being together all the time. They're about finding the way back. That's why it's a favourite for couples who live apart. See our long-distance star gift idea, with a love letter template.

Can I name a star in Lyra or Aquila?

Yes, if it rises where they live. Aquila sits near the celestial equator, so it works across hemispheres. Pick the twin stars option for one star each. Here's the honest bit: the names are a symbolic gift in our register, not official. More here.