Because "Liu" and "Liu" are homophones, To express the intention of retaining. This custom originated from "The past is gone, and the willows are still there" in "The Book of Songs. Xiaoya. Picking Wei". Use willows as a parting gift to express the inseparability, the inability to bear to see each other, and the reluctance to part. Willows are a symbol of spring. Willows swaying in spring always give people a sense of prosperity. "Breaking willows to say goodbye" contains the wish of "Spring is always here". The ancients broke willows to see each other off, which also means that leaving a loved one in the hometown is like a willow tree that leaves a branch. It is hoped that when he goes to a new place, he can quickly take root and sprout, just like a willow branch that can live anywhere. It is a kind of good wish for friends.
The poems of the ancients also mentioned a lot of breaking willows to say goodbye. Quan Deyus poem of the Tang Dynasty: "New knowledge breaks willows as gifts"; Jiang Baishis poem of the Song Dynasty: "I fear there will be no green willow branches on other roads"; Guo Dengs poem of the Ming Dynasty: "Every year I see off travelers, and I break all the willows on the roadside in border towns." Chen Weisongs poem of the Qing Dynasty: "How many wicker sticks are left now? Wait for discounts and gifts." Not only will people feel sad when they see willows, but they will also be moved to leave when they hear the song "Folding Willows". Li Bais "Hearing the Flute in Luo City on a Spring Night": "When I hear the broken willows in this nocturne, who can't forget the love of my hometown?" In fact, the willow tree can have many symbolic meanings, and the ancients gave the willow tree various emotions, so it is reasonable to use the willow tree to express feelings.
