I am sorry my single sweethearts, but this one is for the couples, who are thrilled to go to a cherry blossom festival! Before going into details about cherry blossom festivals, let’s talk about the history of cherry blossoms. The biggest cherry blossom festival in the world is held at the Washington, DC. The festival celebrates the gift of 3000 cherry trees they received from Mayor Yukio Ozaki in 1912. The gift, as well as the festival, is supposedly to honour the friendship between the United States and Japan.
Cherry blossoms, commonly seen in Korean cherry blossom festivals, are not the same as those that originated from Japan. Cherry trees seen in Korea are called king cherry, and are said to be originated from Jeju Island. Cherry blossom festivals in Korea, commonly held in every March and April, are held partially due to Japanese colonization of Korea. After the March 1st Independence movement, Japanese empire changed the cultural policy and planted cherry trees in the Changgyeonggung Palace. From 1924, night cherry blossom festivals began, leading to the festivals we see today.
You might wonder the significance of cherry blossoms in Japan, since those two things seem to be related closely. Blossoms’ short lifespan (two weeks) symbolizes Japanese soldiers, whose lives were short and powerful. They are also a symbol for a woman’s beauty. Also they are seen as a fresh new beginning, since Japanese school year starts in April; the season blooming with cherry trees.
There are a lot of cherry blossom festivals held in various parts of Korea. Some of the well-known ones are Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival , and the dates for this one is between April 1st to April 10th. Another one is Gyeongpodae Cherry Blossom Festival, and the dates are April 5th to April 11th. Hurry and be pinked up!
Anny Du (10)
Cherry blossoms, commonly seen in Korean cherry blossom festivals, are not the same as those that originated from Japan. Cherry trees seen in Korea are called king cherry, and are said to be originated from Jeju Island. Cherry blossom festivals in Korea, commonly held in every March and April, are held partially due to Japanese colonization of Korea. After the March 1st Independence movement, Japanese empire changed the cultural policy and planted cherry trees in the Changgyeonggung Palace. From 1924, night cherry blossom festivals began, leading to the festivals we see today.
You might wonder the significance of cherry blossoms in Japan, since those two things seem to be related closely. Blossoms’ short lifespan (two weeks) symbolizes Japanese soldiers, whose lives were short and powerful. They are also a symbol for a woman’s beauty. Also they are seen as a fresh new beginning, since Japanese school year starts in April; the season blooming with cherry trees.
There are a lot of cherry blossom festivals held in various parts of Korea. Some of the well-known ones are Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival , and the dates for this one is between April 1st to April 10th. Another one is Gyeongpodae Cherry Blossom Festival, and the dates are April 5th to April 11th. Hurry and be pinked up!
Anny Du (10)