Zhinü was a legendary figure and main character in the popular Chinese folk tale The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.

However, their relationship was discovered by her father, Jade Emperor, who ordered the Queen Mother of the West to bring Zhinü back to Heaven.

Niulang's ox, who saw the events unfold, built a boat for him to carry his children up to Heaven.

[7] Today the Chinese phrase "Niulang Zhinü" is commonly used to describe loving married couples.

The story was selected as one of China's Four Great Folktales by the "Folklore Movement" in the 1920s—the others being the Legend of the White Snake, Lady Meng Jiang, and Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai.