What are the legends of cherry blossoms?
An introduction that is very detailed is about the legends of cherry blossoms and the symbolism and implications of cherry blossom plants and flowers. Here is an introduction for you:
Cherry blossoms are a very beautiful flower, but their blooming period is particularly short, lasting just a few days. Everyone knows that cherry blossoms symbolize love and hope, so do you know any of the legends about cherry blossoms?
Legends about cherry blossoms
1. Princess Hanao scattered cherry blossoms across Japan
As everyone knows, cherry blossoms are Japan's national flower, and they also have a beautiful and moving mythological story. It is said that a long time ago, there was a clever and beautiful girl named Princess Hanao. Princess Hanao means cherry blossom. At the end of one year, she set off from Okinawa, Japan, traveled through Kyushu, Kansai, and Kanto, and arrived in Hokkaido in May or June of the following year. Along the way, she scattered cherry blossoms across Japan. Since then, cherry blossoms have bloomed for thousands of years in Japan, and they bloom as brilliantly as clouds and mist every year. The Japanese people love cherry blossoms very much. The reason the Japanese people designated cherry blossoms as their national flower, in addition to their purity, elegance, and nobility, is to commemorate the diligent and kind Princess Hanao and to symbolize the diligent, wise, and brave Japanese people.
2. The legend of red cherry blossoms
There is another version of the legend about cherry blossoms: the cherry blossoms dyed red with the blood of samurais. It is said that in the past, cherry blossoms were only white. Brave samurais would choose to commit seppuku under their beloved cherry blossoms because when a samurai believed he had achieved the pinnacle of his life, he would choose to end his own life. Therefore, the ground beneath the cherry blossoms was stained with blood, and from then on, red cherry blossoms appeared... The redder the petals of the cherry blossoms, the more souls that had perished beneath them.
3. A missed love
Cherry blossoms bloom silently in the cherry blossom city for months, seeing many couples chatting and confiding in each other under the cherry blossoms every day. The petals of the cherry blossoms gradually fall, creating a beautiful scene. Therefore, cherry blossoms have become a symbol of love. However, everyone wants to experience love and happiness, and the fairy of the cherry blossoms (Sakura no Hana) is no exception. Seeing others so happy, she also wanted to experience it, so she left the cherry blossom tree alone, marking the beginning of another legend about cherry blossoms.
The petals of the cherry blossoms continue to fall, and Sakura no Hana searches for her other half among the people. She searches for a long time, and when she wants to give up and return to the cherry blossom tree, he appears. He begins to bring her joy and take care of her, and they chat late into the night. It is then revealed that he is from a distant country and came here because his ship lost its way. Sakura no Hana, upon hearing this, knows that he will leave and return to his own country. To cherish the time they have together, she meets him under the cherry blossom tree every day and chats... But good times are always fleeting, and he has to leave. He comes to say goodbye to Sakura no Hana. Although she is prepared for this, she cannot bear the blow. She turns her back to him and says only, "Oh." He leaves, on the vast sea, gone.
Sakura no Hana is alone under the cherry blossom tree, crying. The petals of the cherry blossoms fall to comfort her, and as the breeze blows, the petals rise, shattering Sakura no Hana's heart. She cries for days and nights and ultimately decides it is time to return. Looking at the cherry blossom tree, she thinks: I am the fairy of the cherry blossoms; I will ultimately be a petal on the cherry blossom tree, watching others have loving relationships, while I will never be happy... Thus, she disappears. Some say she returned to the tree, while others say she turned into a petal and, carried by the wind, went to find him...
Years later, he returns. He actually returns. He comes to the place they agreed upon and searches for her but never finds her. He is lost. It turns out he returned to tell her that he has fallen in love with her. When he hears the legend spreading in the village, he knows it is too late. He swears under the cherry blossom tree that he hopes all lovers will be together, and no one else will miss their chance as he did... This time, he never leaves the cherry blossom city again and continues to search for her until he dies...
Hundreds of years have passed, and cherry blossoms still bloom. Many couples come here for this legend to witness their happiness. Whether it is fate or not... Sakura no Hana is reincarnated as a human being. She comes to the cherry blossom tree and feels a sense of familiarity. Suddenly, the wind blows, petals instantly fly by, and her hat is blown away and caught by a man. It's him. He has come too. This time, they will not miss each other again...
The above legends of cherry blossoms, along with the symbolism and implications of cherry blossoms, are hoped to be helpful to those who love green plants!