Cherry Blossoms: Inside The Spiritual Meaning Of Sakura
NEW YORK — Cherry blossoms hold a profound significance across a variety of cultures around the world, often intertwined with religious symbolism. Both their beauty and delicate nature have inspired poets, artists and thinkers.
Cherry blossoms also possess rich religious meaning across various cultures, symbolizing themes of impermanence, renewal and the interconnectedness of all things amid a sea of pink.
Whether in Japan, China, Korea and even the United States, cherry blossoms serve as powerful reminders of life’s fleeting beauty and the importance of embracing change.
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Many cherry species bloom sometime between late March and early April across the world and in the Northern Hemisphere, making them a tourist destination in many cities such as New York and Washington, D.C.
As we marvel at the delicate petals of cherry blossoms, onlookers are invited to reflect on the deeper truths of existence and cultivate a deeper sense of connection to the world around us.
Here’s how different parts of the world revere cherry blossoms:
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Shinto tradition of sakura
In Japan, cherry blossoms — known as “sakura” — carry very rich cultural and religious symbolism and closely associated with the Shinto and Buddhist traditions.
In Shintoism, Japan’s indigenous religion, cherry blossoms represent the transient nature of life, reflecting the belief by many of the fleeting beauty of existence. This concept underscores the appreciation of the transient beauty of nature and the acceptance of life's impermanence.
Cherry blossoms are also integral to Hanami, the centuries-old Japanese tradition of flower viewing. During Hanami, people gather with friends and family under blooming cherry trees to appreciate their beauty, enjoy food and drink, and contemplate the transient nature of life. This practice fosters a sense of mindfulness and gratitude, aligning with Buddhist principles of impermanence and living in the present moment.
In Buddhism, cherry blossoms symbolize the cycle of birth, death and rebirth — echoing the cycle of life and the impermanence of all things.
This symbolism is reflected in the teachings of impermanence (known as anicca) and interconnectedness (pratityasamutpada) — both fundamental concepts within Buddhism. Cherry blossoms serve as a reminder of the inevitability of change and the importance of embracing impermanence as a path to enlightenment.
Officials from the JMA’s Tokyo Regional Headquarters declared in Japanese and sign language around 2 p.m. on April 4 that the sakura had reached “full bloom” — an announcement that caused the waiting crowd, who had been holding their smartphones, to erupt into applause and cries of joy.
Vidyuth Lakshman, 36, a tourist from Canada who recently visited Japan, said she’d seen cherry blossoms at home, but “not on this scale. The scale here [in Tokyo] is crazy.”
The trees usually are at peak bloom by early April, at the same time Japan begins a new school and business year.
“They’re really breathtaking,” Silver Shea, 47, a tourist from the United States, told The Associated Press. “We leave in about a week, and we were getting nervous that we weren’t going to get to see them blooming.”
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Significance in China and South Korea
In addition to Japan, cherry blossoms hold religious significance in other Asian cultures. In China, cherry blossoms — particularly the Prunus serrulata variety — have come to symbolize feminine beauty, love and the fleeting nature of life.
They are often associated with Taoist and Confucian principles, representing harmony, renewal and the transience of existence. Cherry blossoms have also featured prominently in Chinese art, poetry and literature, where they evoke themes of love and the passage of time.
Meanwhile, in South Korea, cherry blossoms — known as “beotkkot” — are revered for their beauty and symbolic significance. They are also closely associated with Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, embodying virtues such as purity, humility and resilience.
Cherry blossoms are celebrated during the annual Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival, where scores of people gather to admire the flowers and reflect on the beauty of nature and the transient nature of life.
Beyond East Asia
Cherry blossoms also hold religious symbolism in other parts of the world. In the Hindu tradition, cherry blossoms have often been associated with the goddess Saraswati, the embodiment of knowledge and wisdom.
Saraswati is often depicted holding a string of cherry blossoms, symbolizing the beauty of creativity and the impermanence of worldly pursuits. Cherry blossoms are also revered in Hindu rituals and ceremonies as symbols of purity, renewal and divine blessings.
In the West, cherry blossoms have gained popularity as a symbol of spring and renewal in time for Easter. They are often associated with themes of love, romance and new beginnings — evoking a sense of optimism and vitality.
Every year, an estimated 1.5 million tourists travel to Washington, D.C. for the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
“Some of my top picks include Georgetown's Dumbarton Oaks Gardens, Stanton Park in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. I took my mother to the basilica … and was pleasantly surprised to find we had the grounds all to ourselves,” said Hayley Hutson, a cherry blossom afficionado, in a recent column for Business Insider. “With roughly 150 cherry trees adorning the property of North America's largest Roman Catholic church, it's truly a sight for sore eyes.”
While not rooted in any single religious tradition, cherry blossoms — a flower threatened by climate change — continues to resonate with spiritual seekers and nature enthusiasts alike, inspiring contemplation and appreciation for the wonders of the natural world.
Clemente Lisi is the executive editor of Religion Unplugged. He previously served as deputy head of news at the New York Daily News and a longtime reporter at The New York Post. Follow him on X @ClementeLisi.