This saying expresses the belief that a first marriage, with its shared history and mutual adjustment, is generally more harmonious than remarriages. It implies that staying with one's original partner, despite difficulties, is preferable to starting over with someone new.
In traditional Chinese culture, marriage was seen as a lifelong bond, and divorce was rare and stigmatized. This saying reflects the high value placed on marital stability and the idea that enduring commitment builds a stronger relationship than seeking novelty.
This saying reinforces the social ideal of lifelong marriage and discourages divorce by emphasizing the unique depth of a first union. It signals that patience and compromise in a marriage are virtues, and that the familiar, though imperfect, is often better than the unknown.
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