Symbolism in " The Road Home"

They say love is an action, not a verb. Well I say love can be an object and I'm pretty sure Zhang Yimou would agree. Not much dialogue was passed between the protagonists of  the beautiful love story that is "The Road Home." That's because words are not necessary when there are so many objects in a film that attest to the love that the two main characters shared for over half a century (tear). The bowl, where Di lovingly placed all of her best dishes for the teacher to enjoy; The basket, which was the excuse for Di to cross paths with the teacher. The well, which was the perfect meeting spot and excuse to walk past the school "just to hear HIS voice; and finally the barrette, that the teacher got for Di that was a promise to come back for her. All symbols of love!