 |
| Padlocks locked to the bridge railing, Mala Strana District, Prague |
Padlocks of Love have been taking the world by storm. Star-crossed lovers, or just passionate sweethearts, have been locking their love up and throwing away the key on bridges, railings and any commonplace available. The padlocks symbolize their everlasting love, or whatever passionate love they feel at the time.
In Prague, these locks can be found affixed to a pedestrian bridge in the Mala Strana district. Wikipedia says it was started by the now infamous Glen Emery of Jo's bar fame, but we all know how reliable Wikipedia can be. The locks of love on the bridge are on public display so that any passing man, woman and child knows how in love you are. Czechs are big on public displays of affection, so this seems rather appropriate. You never know when you're going to bump into a couple making out on the tram, and when you do, they probably have a lock on the bridge.
Many of the locks, such as the one above, are engraved with the names of the sweethearts who placed the lock. The bridge, though small, is adorned with hundreds, maybe thousands, of padlocks. All colors, shapes and sizes represent the love that two people felt at one time when they locked their love to the bridge. Undoubtedly, it is good karma for the future of the relationship, probably similar to feeding the wedding cake versus smashing it in your loved one's face -- my parents always told me those generally end in divorce. After all, if on one of the most important days of your wife's life you ruin her makeup with a frosting rose to the eye, she's probably going to hold that against you...forever. Not to discount that women also smash, it was just easier to blame the guy.
Regardless of American customs, Nika and Michael are probably still madly in love. Maybe if they ever break up, Nika will come to the bridge in a fit of rage and hack the lock off with a chainsaw, cast it into the water below, and watch it sink to depths, never to be seen again. (I let the girl win that one too, sorry I'm biased...it will probably be Michael's fault anyway)
This small wonder captured my eye because honestly, I'm a hopeless romantic. I wish the best for Nika and Michael and I hope that one day I, too, will have a love passionate enough to lock it to a bridge in Prague and throw away the key. Word on the street - aka wikipedia - is that locks are showing up in the U.S. too, all over the Brooklyn Bridge. I liked that Nika and Michael took the time to have the lock engraved, such a simple gesture, yet so meaningful. It's the little things that get me every time.
No comments:
Post a Comment