SUKURA
My sister recently returned from a visit with her daughter in Japan. She was there at the right time to experience the beauty of the annual cherry blossoms. While attending the cherry blossom festivals, she learned a few things.
In Japan, a ritual known as hanami, literally translated means "looking at flowers". It's a time for simple pleasure: stopping to view and appreciate the arrival of new blossoms, especially from the cherry trees.
This practice is a symbolic source of national pride, a chance to recognize and reflect on the beauty of nature while welcoming the new season. A chance to recognize rebirth, if you will!
The Japanese have many Buddhist and Shinto legends and myths about nature. Cherry trees in particular are of special significance.
Sukura (cherry blossoms) symbolize both birth and death, beauty and violence.
The Japanese think of the cherry blossoms as a 'transient of life', since they are very fragile with a short blooming period.
A totally different legend attached to the cherry tree in the USA is the one about not telling lies.
I'm sure most people are aware of the story about George Washington chopping down the cherry tree. When his father asked who did it, he replied, "I did, I cannot tell a lie".
I always believed this story until research told a different story. Turns out this is only a myth concocted by Mason Locke Weems one of Washington's first biographers.
Later William Holmes McGuffey , a Presbyterian minister, who was passionate about teaching children morality and religion, included it a series of school books.
In any case, the cherry blossoms continue to be beautiful and inspirational to us all in various ways!
Here's my favorite way to be inspired!
Read about other spring time legends here.
Remember,
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It really is a very pretty flower, and with a great meaning, I really liked this post, regards my friend @sunnieside
Thanks for reading! I really enjoyed yourbonsai post
I wonder if the cherry tree story is a myth, how much of the Weems' biography is a lie too.
Nice post @sunnieside!
I enjoyed the read.
It's a mystery how much of what we read really is true or not. Maybe we will never know @beekerst. Someday, somewhere, someone might be readingyour sci-fi stories and wonder about them too!! Let them guess, I say!
Me encantan las Sukura, y su historia sún más genial.
Me encantan las Sukura, y su historia aún más genial.
Gracias, me alegro de que hayas disfrutado! I agree with your Friends post. Old friends are very important in our life, sometimes just to keep us going when we are down!
Thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures and story.
Almost as good as being there?!
Yum a big bowl of Cherries. I have always wondered what Washington is like when the Cherry tree's were blooming. Great post ,Thanks for sharing.