The name comes from the legend: once a year, on the seventh night of the seventh month, magpies form a
鹊桥 'magpie bridge' across the Milky Way so the two lovers can meet. Qin Guan's version ends
两情若是久长时，
又岂在朝朝暮暮 'if love is to last, why must they be together morning and evening?', a favourite line for couples who live apart.
