This saying observes that family connections often fade after the linking relatives pass away. It means that without the bridge of shared family gatherings, even close cousins can drift apart over time.
In traditional Chinese extended families, the aunt (father's sister) and uncle (mother's brother) were social hubs for cousin relationships. This reflects the reality that kinship ties are often maintained through elders, not just blood.
Chinese people use this saying to acknowledge the practical fragility of family bonds and to gently lament the passage of time. It signals a realistic, unsentimental view of relationships, and can also serve as a prompt to maintain connections before they lapse.
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