Cherry blossoms are beautiful delicate pale pink or white-colored flowers that bloom each spring. They can be found on the unique branches of flowering and fruiting cherry trees. What are the Cherry Blossom flower’s meaning and symbolism?
The symbolism of Cherry Blossom flowers is probably the most well-known within Japanese culture. The light pink petals and fallen Cherry Blossoms mean there is beauty in our own fleeting mortality, and we should live our fullest life until we can’t anymore.
The blossoming of the cherry tree typically takes place in a tiny 2-week window every year, before the petals fall off the trees like confetti, making way for all the new healthy buds of the summer foliage. Continue reading with us to learn about the Cherry Blossom flower, with all its meanings and symbols.
The Meaning Behind A Cherry Blossom Flower
In Japan, the Cherry Blossom is very popular and well-known as “sakura,” and every year, around the time of April, thousands of people will gather to see beautiful pictures of Japanese flowering cherry trees in their full blooming state.
This tradition has a name and is known as “hanami,” which directly translates to “cherry blossom viewing.” People touring from all over the world will at least attend this once-in-a-lifetime cherry blossom festival. The locals will meet up with their family and close friends to celebrate under the cherry trees.
Viewing platforms are filled almost day and night so that people can catch a glimpse of these infamous but unbelievable pink flowers. During the cherry blossom season in Japan, people like to have Cherry Blossom parties as well, and many colleagues come together to celebrate.
A cherry blossom makes people happy, and they enjoy drinking, eating, and even barbecuing underneath the Cherry Blossom trees.
Even during the nighttime, viewing spots are crowded with people who enjoy the blossoms. The Cherry Blossoms falling off trees create a beautiful and romantic atmosphere, and many people decide to arrange weddings during these festivals!
Cherry Blossoms As A Symbol Of Hope
Because the Cherry Blossom tree season overlaps with Japan’s fiscal and calendar years, it marks the arrival of new beginnings.
New beginnings, such as a new employee’s first day at their new job or a child’s first day of school, are especially applicable in the culture.
Therefore, the vitality and intensity of the Cherry Blossom bestow the ability to hope and dream of bigger and greater things to come.
Many people also see a Cherry Blossom as a symbol of optimism and enthusiasm, as they look forward to all the new and exciting things that can possibly come.
Cherry Blossoms As A Symbol Of The Power Of Life and Death
In China, a Cherry Blossom strongly represents feminine beauty and dominance in our modern world. It is regarded as the symbol of a modern woman’s ability to command men using her sexuality and beauty, as well as being proud to exhibit her attractive looks.
A Cherry Blossom flower also means love, which has been known to be a feminized emotion.
The blooming season of a Cherry Blossom tree is very brief, resulting in an instant sense of beauty, with an immediate death of the flower that follows.
Therefore, these flowers serve as reminders of humanity and ut mortality that comes along with it.
Similar to a Cherry Blossom flower, a human’s life can end at any moment. The human condition is epitomized through the life of the Cherry Blossom, which alerts people that their life is too short to waste.
Every individual should focus on living their life to the fullest before they are unable due to death or old age.
Cherry Blossoms As A Symbol Of Renewal
Cherry blossoms are also reviewed as a symbol of rebirth. In Japanese folk religions, Cherry Blossom trees signified the reproduction of agriculture.
During this time, the Japanese traveled to the mountains to worship the trees at the start of every spring. They also transplanted them to inhabited areas.
This is the reason why Cherry Blossoms became the new and improved symbol of the spring, a time for renewal and new beginnings.
Conclusion
Now that you are aware of Cherry Blossom’s meaning and symbolism, you can take a second look at these trees to appreciate their blossoms, especially if you catch them in their beautiful blooming state.
We can learn a lot from Cherry Blossom’s meaning, as it reminds us to live life one step at a time and appreciate the moment, as it is fleeting.