Exploring the symbolism and tradition surrounding cherry blossoms

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Every year, especially in Japan, a wave of cherry blossoms signal the arrival of spring. This season also symbolizes rebirth and new beginnings.

The cherry blossom, known as sakura, is the national flower of Japan, alongside the iris and the chrysanthemum.

Cherry blossoms are very important in Japanese culture. In fact, you will often see these flowers in Japanese paintings, poetry and literature.

From a historical context, the blossoms represented the short, but colorful life of the samurai. These were warriors of feudal Japan who lived by a strict moral code known as bushido, which consists of respect, honor and discipline. In addition, they had to exemplify these virtues and be fearless warriors, even in death. The fallen cherry blossom petals represent the end of the samurai's short lives.

Cherry blossom trees are essentially flowering cherry trees belonging to the genus Prunus, which includes plums, peaches, apricots and, of course, cherries. They are native to Asia, particularly Japan, Korea and China. You might think of the flowers as a pale pink color. However, these can range from white to various shades of pink.

In addition to its pale pink petals, the cherry blossom is also known for its distinctively short lifespan. The delicate blooms last only for a week or two before the "sakura snow," in which the petals fall to the ground or is carried off by the breezy wind.

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In other words, the flowers have come to represent life's ephemerality.

Hanami means "flower-viewing" in Japanese and the tradition can be traced back at least a thousand years. It is rooted in another flowering plant, the plum blossom, or ume. Between 794 to 1185, known as the Heian period, the practice became almost exclusively linked to cherry blossoms.

In Japan, family and friends gather for picnics and parties underneath the cherry blossom trees. Popular viewing spots will typically have stalls set up for snacks and drinks. In some instances, limited-edition items are available for this special occasion, including spring-themed Kit-Kats and bento boxes.

At night, hanami transforms into yozakura, or "cherry blossoms at night." This makes the perfect time to view cherry blossoms illuminated by light, often by a lantern.

Every year, cherry blossom season is different in Japan, with different varieties blossoming across the country. Since seasons vary enormously, it is definitely worth paying attention to cherry blossom forecasts, especially those by the Japan Meteorological Corporation. This is a release of the cherry blossom forecast that was issued in 2025.

You can observe the cherry blossoms across Japan, with Tokyo, Kyoto and Okinawa being popular spots. In addition, these are great cities for traditional hanami celebrations.

Yoshino in Nara prefecture is perhaps the most famous cherry blossom destination. More than 30,000 sakura trees blanket the Kii Mountains that surround the town, with the star of the show being on Mount Yoshino.

If you have been to Washington D.C., you probably have seen a line of cherry blossom trees by the Potomac river.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is held annually in Washington D.C. This commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Tokyo mayor Yukio Ozaki. In addition, it also celebrates the lasting friendship between the United States and Japan.

Besides Japan, there are other places in the world where you can observe the cherry blossoms. These include Paris, Toronto, Vancouver, Seoul, Amsterdam and Boston, to name a few. In fact, you might not have to go halfway around the world to observe these special flowers.

Today, cherry blossoms are celebrated around the world during springtime, encouraging people to appreciate its beauty, as well as its fleetingness.

The viewing of the cherry blossom trees in full bloom makes it a sought-after experience, even a once-in-a-lifetime event that should not be missed.

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