A pair of Qing Dynasty jade pendants sold for 690,000 yuan at the Beijing Dongzheng 2011 spring auctions. [Photo/ artron.net]  

The Qixi Festival is here! Have you ever been caught up in a situation that leaves you clueless on what item to buy for your boyfriend or girlfriend? The ancient Chinese were never baffled by this problem. Here are some classic gifts for lovers during ancient times. Check it out and it may provide you with unique gift ideas.

Jade pendants

The ancient Chinese usually gave their lovers something small so that they could easily take it everywhere. A jade pendant is a good choice. Moreover, according to old customs, ancient couples sometimes exchanged their jade pendants at their engagement ceremony, so these little jade decorations top the list of ancient love gifts.

A pair of Qing Dynasty jade pendants sold for 1,840,000 yuan at the Rongbaozhai 2012 spring auctions. [Photo/ artron.net]

A pair of hairpins during Qing Dynasty sold for 82,800 yuan at the China Guardian 2012 autumn auctions. [Photo/ english.cgaurdian.com]   

Hairpins

Hairpins were also a common gift for a man to give his girlfriend in ancient times. An old tradition in China was that women would cut a small lock of hair to give to their beloved at their engagement, so hair decorations symbolize a promise of love.

A set of hairpins during Qing Dynasty sold for 207,000 yuan at the China Guardian 2015 spring auctions. [Photo/ english.cgaurdian.com]

A Qing Dynasty comb sold for 33,600 yuan at the Beijing Hanhai 2010 spring auctions. [Photo/ artron.net]   

Comb

There is a beautiful Chinese idiom, “Bai tou xie lao”, meaning the happy couple will be together until their hair turns white. Giving a comb to a loved one is a romantic promise which means “I want to be with you until we get old together”.

A Han Dynasty comb sold for 60,500 yuan at the China Guardian 2011 ancient jade auctions. [Photo/ artron.net]

A pair of jade bracelet during Qing Dynasty sold for 345,000 yuan at the China Guardian 2013 autumn auctions. [Photo/ english.cguardian.com]   

Jade bracelet

Ancient Chinese women loved bracelets so much. It never fails to give a woman a pair of exquisite jade bracelets.

A pair of jade bracelet during Qing Dynasty sold for 57,500 yuan at the 25th China Guardian Quarterly Auctions. [Photo/ english.cguardian.com]

A fan pendant during Qing Dynasty. [Photo/ artron.net]   

Fan pendant

Ancient Chinese men usually carried folding fans in summer. A fan pendant for the man you loved was a good idea in ancient times.

A set of embroidered purses during Qing Dynasty sold for 17,250 yuan at the 37th China Guardian Quarterly Auctions. [Photo/ english.cguardian.com]   

Hand-made Purse

Most ancient Chinese women were good at embroidery. A hand-made embroidered purse for the man they loved represents their true love.

A pair of embroidered purses during Qing Dynasty sold for 10,350 yuan at the 30th China Guardian Quarterly Auctions. [Photo/ english.cguardian.com]