Tanabata, or Japan's Star Festival, centers on the legend of two star-crossed lovers: Orihime, the weaving princess (the star Vega), and Hikoboshi, the cow herder (the star Altair). Separated by the Milky Way, they are only permitted to cross it and reunite once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month. 

Long ago in the heavens lived Orihime, a princess who spent her days weaving beautiful cloth for the Sky King by the banks of the Milky Way. Despite her immense talent, she was lonely. To cheer her up, the Sky King arranged for her to meet Hikoboshi, a hardworking cow herder who lived on the other side of the heavenly river. 

The two fell instantly in love, married, and were so consumed by their passion that they abandoned their responsibilities. Orihime stopped weaving, and Hikoboshi's cows wandered freely through the heavens. 

Angered by this neglect, the Sky King separated the lovers, placing them on opposite sides of the Milky Way. Orihime was heartbroken and cried endlessly. Relenting to her sorrow, her father agreed to let the couple meet once a year—on the seventh day of the seventh month—provided that she finished her weaving. 

The first time the lovers tried to reunite, they discovered the Milky Way had no bridge. Orihime wept so bitterly that a flock of sympathetic magpies took pity on her and formed a bridge with their wings so she could cross to her husband. 

Today, this tale is celebrated on Tanabata (July 7th). If the skies are clear, the lovers are said to successfully meet, but if it rains, the raindrops represent their tears and the magpies cannot form a bridge. 

To celebrate, people write wishes on colorful strips of paper called tanzaku and hang them on bamboo branches. At the end of the festival, the bamboo and decorations are often floated on a river or burned, sending their heartfelt prayers to the stars.