Here we tie coconuts on trees

padlock symbol for love - such locks have names of lovers engraved on them
India
January 29, 2012 8:52am CST
Here in India, when we make a wish, we tie coconut on trees or wrap thread around tree trunk in some temples or places. Today I was researching to know if some such tradition exists elsewhere, I got this information, the phenomenon called Love Locks (or Love Padlocks), which many believe to have originated from Italy, is a new kind of vandalism where lovebirds lock padlocks bearing their names against fences, gate, bridge or similar public place to symbolize their everlasting love. Thousands upon thousands of locked padlocks can be seen affixed to the fence across the unpronounceable Hohenzollernbruecke Bridge in Cologne, Germany. According to Wikipedia, Love padlocks have existed for quite some time, though there are no certain sources for their origin. In Europe, love padlocks started appearing in the early 2000s. In Rome, the ritual of affixing love padlocks to the bridge Ponte Milvio can be attributed to the book I Want You by Italian author Federico Moccia, who later made it into the film-adaptation Ho voglia di te. A similar bridge in Serbia exists, where the practice of love locks can be traced to before World War I. The story goes as that there was a local schoolmistress named Nada, from Vrnjacka Banja, who fell in love with a Serbian officer named Relja. After they committed to each other Relja went to war in Greece where he fell in love with a local woman from Corfu. As a consequence, Relja and Nada broke up their engagement. Nada never recovered from that devastating blow, and after some time she died as a result of her unfortunate love. As young girls from Vrnjacka Banja wanted to protect their own loves, they started writing down their names, together with the names of their loved ones, on padlocks and affixing them to the railings of the bridge where Nada and Relja used to meet. Love locks are a growing phenomenon in cities across Europe. They have even appeared along the Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet on Vancouver Island in Canada. [b]Any such ritual at your place, please respond, share your views. Thanks in advance.[/b] Professor ‘Bhuwan’. . Cheers have a lucky day ahead. 29/01/2012 Tradition, ritual, india, lovers
3 people like this
8 responses
@tigeraunt (6326)
• Philippines
29 Jan 12
this is very interesting. traditional origins and practices could go on and on as history says but then it gets converted as days go along. modern times - the examples that i know is lovers etch their names on barks of trees enclosed in an etched heart and as long as the tree is living, the lover's lovelock can be seen. have a nice day. ann
2 people like this
• India
29 Jan 12
Sweety Here too this practice continues, they deform the trunk of trees, walls of garden and parks, police and guards are posted at places. Thanks for sharing Best of luck. Professor
2 people like this
@jaiho2009 (39141)
• Philippines
29 Jan 12
Ann This is true and I am one of those (hahahaa) Yah, I did it, engraved our name (me and my someone special) inside a heart shape. That was long ago....
1 person likes this
@jaiho2009 (39141)
• Philippines
29 Jan 12
dear dada, I will try this one i remember engraving a heart shape with my name and my someone special- long time ago. That's only for fun dada hugs to you and maa
2 people like this
• India
30 Jan 12
Jane beta Do it tie 2 coconuts, it may work. Hugs from Dada.
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
29 Jan 12
An older tradition here is to carve the lover's initials together in a tree trunk, often surrounded by a carved heart shape. I find these things interesting, but have not done any of them.
2 people like this
• India
30 Jan 12
This is so popular here too. Thnxs for response.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
29 Jan 12
I havent heard of it here but it could be something that will catch on sometime
2 people like this
• India
29 Jan 12
Thanks for response madam . Best of luck. Professor
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
3 Feb 12
I've never heard of tying coconuts on trees and I've also never heard of love padlocks either. However, I do find that there are some places that people will carve their initials into tables at different restaurants and other things like that to show a symbol of their love for another person. Me personally, I've never done anything like that in my life.
1 person likes this
• India
4 Feb 12
Nice information dorann here too we see that on restaurant tables
@deodavid (4150)
• Philippines
30 Jan 12
Hey prof, That sounds really amazing and romantic i think i'll use it as a sybol of my love to my girlfriend i think she will be thrilled by the idea, thanks again prof it is always a pleasure reading your insightful discussions.
• India
30 Jan 12
Best of luck friend
• India
30 Jan 12
Best of luck friend
• India
30 Jan 12
Best of luck friend
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
29 Jan 12
hi professor I am all well again finally after having bronchial pneumonia .thats so interesting about the coconuts and the lovelocks sort of romantic too. here a lot of lovers will engrave a heart shape on a poor tree and put their initials in it . t hat I never did as I dislike hurting the trunk of a living tree like that. we had a wishing well at the library where I used to work and people will throw in coins and ask for favors to come true. I often wonder what does the city do with all the coins? lol lolthere is a wall in the holy land someplace where people have stopped and pinned messages and notes. I guess they came from all over the world. We have a custom of placing flowers and notes in memory of those who were killed in auto accidents in certain place on our highways. seems to me to remedy some of the road hazards in these areas would do a whole lot more good and actually save some lives at this hazardous spots. Memorials are all good but saving lives is even better.
1 person likes this
• India
30 Jan 12
Mom I am happy you are okey now. Well disfiguring the tree trucks, walls of historical place and tourists place is certainly not good, you can see names written in marble walls at Tajmahal, though there are people to clen them. We too have 'wish-wells' and 'wish-ponds' where people throw money. Regards
@ticuso (127)
• Mexico
30 Jan 12
How are these locks secured to the fence or bridge? so they don't fall off or get stolen? wow that's weird!! good show!
1 person likes this
• India
31 Jan 12
Might be using some hook or chain!!