Why do we say goodbye with willow branches?

In the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, the theme “A Willow Twig” was presented both as a symbol of bidding farewell to the athletes and a remembrance for lost ones in ancient Chinese culture. Do you know why willow branches serve as a symbol of farewell? What exactly do willow trees represent in the Chinese context? Let’s find out in today’s episode!