What is the symbolic meaning of cherry blossoms?
This article provides a core introduction to the symbolic meaning of cherry blossoms, the implications and legends of cherry blossoms, and related plant knowledge. Details are as follows:
The cherry blossom symbolizes elegant and simple love. Tokyo, Japan, has the most varieties of cherry blossoms, but they were originally transplanted from China. The original habitat of cherry blossoms is near the Himalayas, with white and pink colors, dense flowers, and a sea of cherry blossom trees that present a unique and picturesque scene. Let's explore the legends of the cherry blossom's symbolism together!
1. Princess Hanao scattering cherry blossoms throughout Japan
Everyone knows that cherry blossoms are Japan's national flower and also have a beautiful and moving myth. It is said that a long time ago, there was a smart and beautiful girl named Hanao. Hanao means cherry blossom. At the end of one year, she set out from Okinawa, Japan, traveled through Kyushu, Kansai, Kanto, and arrived in Hokkaido in May or June of the following year. Along the way, she scattered cherry blossoms throughout Japan. Since then, cherry blossoms have bloomed for thousands of years in Japan and are as bright as clouds every year. The Japanese people love cherry blossoms very much. The reason why the Japanese people have designated cherry blossoms as the national flower is not only because of their purity, elegance, and nobility but also to commemorate the hardworking and kind Princess Hanao and to symbolize the hardworking, wise, and brave people of Japan.
2. The legend of red cherry blossoms
There is another version of the cherry blossom legend about samurai bloodstained cherry blossoms. It is said that cherry blossoms were originally white, and brave samurai would choose to commit seppuku under their favorite cherry blossoms. Because when a samurai thought he had reached the pinnacle of his life, he would choose to end his own life, causing the cherry blossom trees to be soaked in blood. From then on, cherry blossoms began to bloom red... The redder the cherry blossom petals, the more souls are under the tree.
3. Missed love
Cherry blossoms bloom silently in the cherry blossom city for months, and every day, many couples chat and talk under the cherry blossom trees. As the petals fall, the beauty is overwhelming. Therefore, cherry blossoms have become a symbol of love. However, everyone wants to experience love and happiness, and the fairy of the cherry blossom tree (Sakura no Hana) is no exception. She sees others' happiness and wants it too, so she leaves 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 crowd. She looks for a long time, and when she wants to give up and return to the cherry blossom tree, he appears. He brings her joy and takes care of her, and they chat until late at night. It turns out that he comes from a distant country and ended up here because his ship lost its way. Sakura no Hana hears this and knows 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 short-lived, and he has to leave. He comes to say goodbye to Sakura no Hana. Although she was prepared for this, she can't bear the blow and turns her back to him, saying only, "Oh." He leaves, sailing across the vast sea, gone.
Sakura no Hana is alone under the cherry blossom tree, crying. The cherry blossom petals fall to console her, and as the breeze blows, the petals fly up, shattering her heart. She cries for days and nights and finally decides it's time to go back. She looks at the cherry blossom tree and thinks, "I am the fairy of the cherry blossom, and in the end, I can only be a petal on the tree, watching others have their love and not getting happiness myself..." And so, she disappears. Some say she returned to the tree, and others say she turned into a petal and followed the wind to find him...
What is the symbolic meaning of cherry blossoms?
Years later, he returns, and he actually returns. He comes to the agreed place to find her, but he can't find her and feels lost. He came back to tell her that he has fallen in love with her. When he hears the legend being spread by the villagers, he knows it's too late. He swears under the cherry blossom tree, hoping that all lovers can be together and no one else has to miss out like he did... This time, he never leaves the cherry blossom city again, constantly searching for her until he dies...
Hundreds of years have passed, and cherry blossoms continue to bloom. Many couples come here for the legend to witness their happiness. Whether it's fate or not, Sakura no Hana is reincarnated into a person and comes to the cherry blossom tree, feeling a sense of familiarity. Suddenly, the wind blows, petals fly by, and her hat is blown away and caught by a man. It's him, he's also here. This time, they definitely won't miss each other...
The origin of cherry blossoms has always been controversial. Because there are many varieties of cherry blossoms in Tokyo, many people think that the origin of cherry blossoms is Japan. In fact, the original origin of cherry blossoms is China. Later, Japan cultivated different varieties of hybrid cherry blossoms, which is why there are so many varieties of cherry blossoms in Japan.
That's all for the symbolic meaning of cherry blossoms and the implications and legends of cherry blossoms. Have plant enthusiasts understood?