growing old together (as a married couple)
Poetic or literary term for a married couple aging together in harmony. Often associated with auspicious imagery like paired pine trees.
See also: 相生い
相老いの松は夫婦円満の象徴とされる。
The paired old pines are considered a symbol of marital harmony.
The two vowed to grow old together.
Standard kanji spelling for the concept of growing old together.
Alternate kanji form using 生 (life) instead of 老 (old age), emphasizing living together rather than aging.
Formed from 相, “together,” and 老い, “growing old,” and traditionally used of a married couple growing old together. 相生い is an alternative spelling associated with shared life and longevity.