Symbolism of a Weeping Cherry Blossom Tree

Cherry Blossoms

The weeping cherry blossom tree is one of more than 100 varieties of cherry trees found in Japan. Cherry trees blossom briefly in the spring, and their blooming is cause for celebration by the Japanese people. Cherry trees hold a significant place in Japanese culture, and can be seen dotting Japan's landscape, depicted in paintings, woven into fabrics and etched into dishware.

History

Cherry trees have been noted in Japanese history as early as A.D. 700s, around the Heian Period, according to the Japan National Tourism website. The Japanese name for the time of year when cherry tree blossoming is tracked by the public is called sakura zensen, and viewing parties and gatherings, or hanami, have been held every spring since at least the early 1500s. A gift of thousands of ornamental cherry trees were given to the United States in 1912 as a symbol of Japan's interest in friendship with the nation, and a national festival celebrating the historical event and the beautiful trees is held every year in Washington, D.C.

Identification

Five Petal Cherry Blossom

Many varieties of cherry trees can be easily identified by the beautiful blooming white or pink flowers that appear every spring, usually between March and April. According to Japan-Guide's web site, wild cherry trees generally have flowers with five petals, but certain varieties, like the Kikuzakura, can have blossoms with up to 100 petals. The weeping cherry tree is an ornamental tree which does not produce fruit, and is in a group of non-fruit bearing cherry trees known in Japan as Sakura. The Japanese name for the weeping cherry tree is Shidarezakura, the blossoms of which are made up of five petals on branches that droop or hang very similarly to the weeping willow tree.

Types

Kikuzakura

In addition to the weeping cherry tree, there are hundreds of varieties of ornamental and fruit-bearing trees in the cherry family. The Somei Yoshino, according to the Japan-Guide website, is the cherry tree of the largest population in Japan, with small white flowers made of five petals. The Ukon's flowers can have up to 20 petals each, and this cherry tree is recognized by its bright yellow blossoms. The Kikuzakura, or chrysanthemum cherry, is known for displaying blooming flowers that contain upwards of 100 petals apiece and for blooming almost a month later than most of its cherry tree relatives.

Significance

Cherry trees have long held significance in Japanese culture, and their blossoming season, which generally lasts only a few days, coincides with the beginning of Japan's governmental and educational calendars in April. The cherry tree, for many in Japan, symbolizes "the transience of life" primarily due to the short blooming time of the trees. The fallen blossoms on the ground can also be "likened to snow and later, as a metaphor for a warrior killed early in life," according to Spring Flowers in Japan's web site.

Everyday Lifestyle

Cherry Blossoms in Art

Because cherry blossoms are representative of life's fleeting nature and hold significance with relation to fallen soldiers, depictions of cherry trees and their recognizable flowers are found on a wide variety of everyday Japanese items as well as numerous works of art. According to St. Olaf University's web site, because cherry blossoms are associated with the 1800s and samurai warriors, "the flowers appear in many objects of the day, such as folding screens, sliding doors, kimono and lacquer ware, as well as depictions of Samurai."

References

• Beginner's Guide to Cherry Trees
• Cherry Blossoms in Japanese Lifestyle
• Japan National Tourism: Cherry Tree History
• Spring Flowers of Japan
• St. Olaf University: Cherry Blossoms in Japanese Culture