What Does Sakura Mean For People In Japan?

March 31, 2017

Sakura is a symbolic flower of the spring and special flower for the people and the country in Japan. Every year, the Japanese track the progress of the blossoming of the cherry trees. The sakura zensen, or cherry blossom front, moves slowly north with warmer weather, and people plan "Hanami" parties for that year.

Hanami literally means “watching blossoms” and the tradition of picnicking under a blooming cherry tree with colleagues, friends, and family to view their natural beauty. They bring cooked meals, alcohol, snacks, and sweets to share with everybody. Cherry blossoms make people merry, and this tradition can be traced back at least a thousand years. Some consider cherry blossoms to be the national flower of Japan.

In April, the Sakura season, Japanese fiscal and the school year begins. People feel like the fully bloomed cherry blossoms are a celebration and welcoming their brand new start. Many schools and companies have cherry trees outside of them. This is why Japanese people have special feelings for the cherry blossoms.

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