結髮

結髮

1. (archaic) to bind one's hair, an ancient coming-of-age custom
2. (archaic) to weave locks of hair together, an ancient marriage custom symbolizing the bond of marriage
3. (figuratively, of a couple) to be married (in first marriage)

   結髮40年／结发40年  ―  jiéfà 40-nián  ―  married for 40 years

   • 結髮同枕席，黃泉共為友。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     结发同枕席，黄泉共为友。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Anonymous,《孔雀東南飛》(first attested in The New Songs from the Jade Terrace, compiled in c. mid-6th century), translated by Yang Xianyi & Gladys Yang

     Jiéfà tóng zhěnxí, huángquán gòng wéi yǒu. [Pinyin]

     As man and wife we love each other so
     That naught but death itself shall sever us.