MAY 20 holds a distinctive place in China’s calendar, standing as a special day for the nation’s young netizens — a day that shines alongside the well-known Valentine’s celebrations of Feb. 14 and the traditional Chinese Qixi on lunar July 7.

The origin of May 20 day can be traced back to the digital realm. This term finds its roots in linguistic playfulness, drawing from the Chinese phonetic landscape where “five two zero” (wu er ling) delicately mirrors the beloved phrase “I love you.”

On this special day, an extraordinary event unfolded in Shenzhen’s Longhua District as 10 disabled couples embraced a deeply moving traditional Chinese wedding ceremony. Within this gathering were individuals with disabilities, some with children, uniting in matrimony.

The tapestry of a traditional Chinese wedding, woven with threads of history spanning millennia, unfurled colorfully in Longhua. The vibrant hue of red, symbolizing auspiciousness and blessings, adorned each ritual.

The day unfolded with spontaneous proposals, children basking in their parents’ joy, and disabled groomsmen and bridesmaids engaging in elegant hand dance routines.

With pride, each couple unveiled their marriage certificates, solemnly reciting them aloud before sealing their commitment.

Long ago, marriage certificates were not bureaucratic records but rather mutual pacts signifying the sacred bond between partners. Reading these certificates during the ceremony symbolizes a commitment to enduring love and the establishment of an unbreakable union.

Organizers also invited players to perform Sichuan Opera face-changing and orchestrated generous gestures from enterprises, persenting the newlyweds with gifts.

The event was captured by Shenzhen Daily photographer Liu Xudong. (Windy Shao)