Many years ago, I took a tour to the Huangshan Mountains. It was fascinating. I was fascinated by the peculiar peaks, spectacular sea of clouds, rocks of all shapes coming from nowhere and unique pine trees rooted in the cliffs...
However, what impressed me most was when I climbed up to Tiandu Peak, the very top of the mountains, I saw so many locks on steel chains. The peak was a small area and it seemed that the locks were everywhere and of every descriptions. I even found some ancient locks made of brass with a very simple latch system, which had turned verd antique. Some locks were wrapped with beautiful hankerchieves or silk straps. I was puzzled and asked my tour guide why there were so many locks there. He smiled and told me that it was the local custom and there's a story behind it.
It is said that in the mountain foot area, the newly-wedded couples should climb up to Tiandu Peak to pay tribute to God of Mountain and they should also lock a "lock of two hearts in one". so to speak, to the chains as a symbol of their love. Each one holds a key to the lock. If later one wants to divorce the other, he or she must go up to the peak, unlock the lock and give it back to the other side together with a divorce letter, then the marriage will be dissolved. It is well believed that if one side divorces the other for good reasons, he or she will have no problem getting back the lock. Otherwise, he or she will for sure fall down during climbing, smashed into pieces as a purnishment by God of Mountain.
I was intrigued by this story and moved by oceans of locks around me. In my eyes, they were no longer locks. These locks turned into glittering hearts and the hankerchieves and silk straps wrapped them into beautiful dancing butterflies. They flied in pais gaily around the hearts. I even imagined colorful roses were blooming everywhere. The mist of cloud was surrounding me and I got the feeling of floating in the air. Looking ahead, piles upon piles of white clouds were spreading all over the blue sky flowing like rivers; Looking down through the mist, green mountains were stretching long and unbroken as far as one's eyes can see, just like a miniature landscaping; The wind was whistling echoed like a symphony. In this imaginary rose garden in the sky,Jumping out of each locks, the pictures of loving couples montaged in front of my eyes. I had seen an old couple in their Qing dynasty style clothes were gently supporting each other and walking unsteadily in the journey of life; I had seen two modern lovers were kissing each other in the background of busy traffic and skyscrapers; I had seen two country youthes were holding hand in hand and running in the open fields... This is a paradise--the paradise of love. At that very moment, I had but one prayer in the bottom of my heart--May lovers all over the world be happily together forever and ever...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Honey, I am sure you will read this article. I do not think we need to attach a lock to that chain. We have already had that lock in our hearts, which will lock us together, sharing weal and woe, till the end of our lives!
Dave
