When mountains have no peaks, when rivers run dry, when winter thunders roll, when summer snow falls, when heaven and earth merge as one—only then would I dare to part from you.

This verse comes from the Han Dynasty folk song "Shang Ye". The complete poem reads: "O Heaven! I wish to be united with you, never to part till life ends. When mountains have no peaks, when rivers run dry, when winter thunders roll, when summer snow falls, when heaven and earth merge as one—only then would I dare to part from you!" This is a passionate woman's oath of love to her beloved, calling upon heaven as witness to express an unwavering commitment that lasts until death.

This verse uses five impossible natural phenomena to express eternal and steadfast love through extreme hypothetical scenarios. Mountains cannot exist without peaks, rivers cannot run dry, winter cannot thunder, summer cannot snow, and heaven and earth cannot merge as one. These violations of natural law symbolize love's unshakable nature—only under apocalyptic conditions would separation be considered. This rhetorical device of "proving possibility through impossibility" pushes the steadfastness of love to an absolute level, demonstrating ancient people's ultimate pursuit and sacred understanding of love.

The origin of "Shang Ye" can be traced to the Han Dynasty folk song collection system. According to the "Book of Han: Treatise on Literature," the Han Dynasty established the Yuefu office specifically to collect folk ballads to observe popular customs. This poem was recorded under such circumstances. The woman's identity is no longer traceable, but from the poem's content, it was likely a folk woman's genuine emotional expression.

This verse has profoundly influenced later literature, becoming the model for ancient Chinese love poetry. Tang Dynasty poets Li Bai and Bai Juyi adapted its meaning, while Song Dynasty poets Li Qingzhao and Xin Qiji drew inspiration from it. The cultural connotation this verse carries has transcended literary boundaries, becoming a love symbol in the Chinese collective memory.

Applying this verse's wisdom to modern life requires first understanding its spiritual essence: genuine emotion requires firm commitment and enduring guardianship. In romantic relationships, we can learn from this "proving possibility through impossibility" expression method, using concrete and firm commitments to convey love—but avoid empty oaths and instead embody them in daily actions. In married life, transform this unwavering-until-death spirit into continuous care for partners and responsible commitment, especially maintaining promises during difficult times. In interpersonal relationships, this spirit of loyalty and persistence equally applies—whether friendship or family bonds, all require this attitude of never abandoning or forsaking. Meanwhile, we must also view this absolutized emotional expression rationally; under modern society's pluralistic values, we should maintain loyalty to emotion while respecting individual choices and changes.