The most beautiful cherry blossoms around the world
While we are looking forward to the arrival of spring, Japan is already enjoying one of its main symbols with might and main - the flowering of magical pink trees of Japanese cherry, or sakura. Starting in mid-March, the Internet is filled with stunning photos of all shades of pink, blooming parks and streets of different cities in Japan. Tokyo is the first to "bloom" - this year, local sakura trees should reach the peak of flowering by the end of March. Depending on the city, Japanese cherry trees can bloom until May.
The official school year in Japan begins in April, so the first day of school or work after the holidays usually coincides with cherry blossoms. At this time, locals annually arrange picnics under flowering trees. This tradition is called "khanami" and originates in the eighth century!
Since cherry blossoms in large inflorescences, it is symbolically associated with clouds, and in Japanese culture, heavily influenced by Buddhism, personifies the ephemeral nature of life. Sakura is often present in Japanese art, cinema, anime and manga. Curiously, the delicate cherry blossoms were even once used as propaganda in an attempt to inspire the "Japanese spirit" during World War II.
Despite being the unofficial national flower of Japan, sakura is common in many other countries today, mainly due to the Japanese diaspora. Cherry blossom is definitely one of the most beautiful spring events in nature, wherever it grows.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
eleven.
12.
13.
14.