Sunday, September 11, 2011

Love Padlocks

Love padlocks (also known as Love Locks) are a custom by which padlocks are affixed to a fence, gate, bridge or similar public fixture and most often affixed by sweethearts to symbolize their everlasting love.

Have you heard of Love Locks before? While in Paris, making our way to Le Louvre, we crossed over the Pont des Arts bridge that was covered with love locks.

Apparently, City Hall tried to have the locks removed in May of last year stating that they posed a threat to city heritage but the "lovelockers" keep showing up and locks keep appearing.

I actually found the sight to be rather charming. Names and dates are written with a permanent marker; the lock is affixed to the bridge; then the key thrown into the Siene as an expression of love.

The moment we choose to love we begin to move against domination, against oppression. The moment we choose to love we begin to move towards freedom, to act in ways that liberate ourselves and others. That action is the testimony of love as the practice of freedom. (Bell Hooks)

This afternoon I watched some of the 9/11 memorial ceremonies and have been rewatching news coverage of the tragedy as it unfolded in 2001. Even 10 years later, it is so shocking to see. Gloria at Crochet Galore posted a beautiful and heartfelt prayer for this day. Sending love, blessings and wishes for peace all around the world. Tammy

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, I love that! How cool. I also like your picture of Kuwait with it's temp, etc. That's a neat feature. Take care, T~

Diane said...

Oh, that's so charming! There could be much worse things than the sealing of a promise of love. Blessings Tammy, Diane

Mariette's Back to Basics said...

Dearest Tammy,

Love Locks is a great idea. Keys thrown into the river Seine... nice symbolic act.
Today we did celebrate a birthday in Germany, of an 8 year old child. Different from the sadness of the actual day ten years ago.
Love to you,

Mariette

Silvia said...

I have seen them for the first time when we were in Germany. They were all over the Moehne See Damm. I think it is a lovely sentiment.
I will also never forget 9/11. I was in a chat room with various friends from the states when all of a sudden so many of them just dissapeared. Then someone posted what had happened. I turned on the News and cried...a lot.

Celestial Charms said...

Wow, love locks....beautiful sentiment. I've never seen anything like that before, love it!
Have a great new week...:)
Maureen

Anonymous said...

I have never heard of Love Locks before. What a lovely expression of someone's affection for another person. I am glad to hear that the locks continue to appear after the city tried to make it go away last year.
Hope school (work) is treating you well!!

Love,
Renee

Travel With Lulu said...

The first time I saw the locks in Paris, I didn't get it. Now I want to buy one for my next trip there. I'd like to do it for everyone in my family - such a sap :)

★Carol★ said...

That's a really charming custom, and it seems like a really innocent way of showing your love for another!
I remember watching everything unfold on that Tuesday ten years ago, and it still feels like just yesterday. Thinking alot about the children that lost a parent on that day....

Rizzi said...

HI TAMMY,
WHAT A CUTE IDEA I NEVER HEARD OF THAT BEFORE...
I BET THE PEOPLE IN THE USA WOULD LOVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT....HAVE A GREAT WEEK....RIZZI

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I stopped over today from Main Street Memories when I saw you Love Locks photo on her sidebar.
I was in Paris in June of this year. I have several pictures of that bridge and they were loaded with locks. I think its lovely.

Becky said...

I love that as well.What a lovely custom.

Have a nice new week!

Sheila R - Blessed and Distressed said...

What a beautiful custom. Thanks for sharing it. Remembering today... a day that changed our world forever.

Have a great week.

Anonymous said...

The love locks are BRILLIANT! Glad they fought to keep them...I may start that here!

Tanna said...

Amen, Tammy. Amen.

We saw those locks all over many of the bridges in Italy, too! I love you quote (as always!). blessings ~ tanna

GwendolynKay said...

How romantic! Maybe for our anniversary I should give Ernie a lock and throw away the key? Ha! Yes , have been watching tributes for 9/11 , very sad, but I think it is important that we remember.
hugs!

Libbie said...

Tammy that is so cute! I want to do that! I wonder why I haven't heard of that! Gotta get me to Paris :) Tahnks for teaching me about the world! You always do!

Createology said...

I first saw the padlock craze in Cinque Terra on the walk from village to village along "Lovers Lane". I also saw these in Florence along the bridge over the Arno River. They appear quite harmless to me and I actually wished I had a padlock to add to the collection. Blissful week to you...

Unknown said...

This is the cutest thing ever and it reminded me of something we have here in a town close by called Keensburg. There's a farm out there with a fence that goes on for several miles and there are shoes tied to it all along the way. I simply have to get out there and take pictures of it.

Pearlin J said...

I have never heard of the locks of love too.Its so sweet I think :) Seeing you pictures of Paris wants me to soo badly visit the place :))
I remember the news on 9/11 in India and could not believe what I saw on TV. I thought it was a movie clip before the tragedy sunk in.

Becky said...

Goodmorning Tammy!Thanks for the visit today it was nice seeing you.Have a good week ahead!

Kathleen said...

I've never heard of Love Locks either but I think it's a really sweet custom. I learn something every day in blogland!

the old white house said...

Hi Tammy! I have heard of this before, I think it is the sweetest tradition ever. t.xoxox

Small Things Simple Pleasures said...

What a beautiful idea. I walked past this bridge last year but didn't cross it. What a shame. Just means I'll have to go back to Paris and see for myself, I suppose... x

val said...

how lovely...reminds me of the movie with the love letter.....pretty romantic overall :-)

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...