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The national flower of Japan, the cherry blossom – or Sakura, represents a time of renewal and optimism. The pops of pink mark the ending of winter and signify the beginning of spring. Due to their quick blooming season, cherry blossoms also symbolize the transience of life, a major theme in Buddhism. Cherry blossoms’ magnificent but brief lifespan, falling a couple of weeks after full bloom, reminds people that similar to the delicate white-pink flowers a human’s life is also short and beautiful. Additionally, fallen cherry blossom petals represent the souls of Japanese samurais with a noble character, who were known not to fear death, and who were killed while sacrificing their lives for the emperor. There are many more significant meanings of the cherry blossom, and the Japanese reflect on them every year during a custom called hanami. The word hanami means “flower viewing.” During a celebration that’s more than a thousand years old, people gather to eat, drink, and celebrate with a picnic-style party
