According to folk tradition, young women would pay homage to the Weaving Maid on the evening of the seventh day of the seventh month, believing it would make them clever and dexterous. A woman named Zheng Cainiang performed this ritual devoutly every year.
On the seventh day of the seventh month, as the night grew deep and still, the young woman Cainiang set up an incense altar in the center of her courtyard, placing delicate pastries and fresh fruits as offerings. She lit incense, clasped her hands in reverence, and prayed with all her heart.
After a moment, it seemed there was movement in the sky. Looking up, Caining gasped in astonishment—a carriage with a magnificent canopy blotted out the sky, surrounded by swirling colorful clouds, the procession drawing closer until it stopped before her. From the largest, most splendid carriage stepped a woman of noble grace, dressed in robes as ethereal and shimmering as clouds, embroidered with brilliant hues. Smiling, she asked, "I am the Weaving Maiden. What blessings do you seek?"
Cainiang, upon hearing it was the Weaving Maiden, was overjoyed and quickly said, "I hope to have skillful hands."
The Weaving Maiden then handed Cǎiniáng a golden needle, about an inch long, and instructed her, "Pin this needle to a piece of paper, hide it in your skirt, and do not speak for three days—your hands will become incredibly skilled." As soon as she finished speaking, the beautiful woman, her carriage, and horses vanished in an instant.
Cai Niang held the golden needle in her hands, bowed several more times toward the sky, and followed the Weaving Maiden's instructions with great care. From then on, whether weaving cloth or embroidering flowers, her needle flew as if guided by magic, and her hands became unmatched in skill.
Later, the idiom "Golden Needle to Guide Others" came to be used as a metaphor for passing on excellent skills or secrets to others.
Source: Feng Yi (Tang Dynasty), *Guiyuan Congtan*, "Shi Yi"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "金针度人" came to describe passing on excellent skills or secrets to others.