growing old together (as a couple)
Poetic term for a married couple aging together, often used in wedding contexts or well-wishes.
At the wedding, they gave a speech wishing the couple to grow old together.
white hemp thread (betrothal gift symbolizing growing old together)
Traditional betrothal gift item; the white thread represents the hair of an elderly couple, symbolizing a wish for a long marriage.
One of the betrothal gifts is the white hemp thread.
Simply means 'white hair'; 共白髪 specifically refers to the shared experience of aging together or the symbolic thread.
A more formal, classical four-character idiom meaning 'growing old together and sharing the same grave'; 共白髪 is more poetic and less solemn.
Standard kanji spelling; 共 means 'together' and 白髪 means 'white hair', evoking the image of a couple growing old together.
Variant spelling using 友 'friend/companion'; less common but still encountered.
Compound of 共 (together) and 白髪 (white hair). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has long been associated with marital longevity and betrothal customs.