Pad Locks

On the top of Huang Shan, any time there was a chain you would normally see them ornamented with pad locks like these. Originally, those who came to the top would bring a lock with them, have their name and when they hiked to the top engraved on it, and then lock it on the top to symbolize that a part of their soul stays on the top of Yellow Mountain to live in the peace and security of the granite peaks. Nowadays, couples will make the journey together and have their names engraved in the same way, but locked on the top of the mountain as a symbol of their eternal love for each other.

Personally, I like the second meaning a lot, mainly because as members of our church, we do something similar to that in our temples. We journey as a couple to the Mountain of the Lord to make eternal the love we have for each other. Being on the top of this mountain reminded me of why the Lord often used mountains throughout the scriptures as a holy place to teach His children. The ascent can be challenging, but the blessings and insights gained therein bring us one step closer to eternity.