Convergence V34_March-April2016

Special Feature
Cherry Blossoms – The Symbol For Hope, Transcience & Power
When cherry blossoms are in full bloom, it is a dazzling sight yet swift and brief. The flowers are much like a
messenger from Mother Nature herself in reminding us about mortality, hope, power and love. It is through the
short-lived beauty of cherry blossoms that its symbolism to life is cherished.
Transcience
As cherry blossoms only blooms for a short
period of time each year in brilliant force, they
serve as a perfect visual reminder of how life can be
overwhelmingly beautiful and yet tragically short. This
is why people aren’t just marvelling at its beauty during
flower viewing, they are also taking into account the larger
meaning and the cherry blossoms’ deep cultural tradition.
Just like how cherry blossoms’ cycle of exceptional beauty
is followed by a quick death, a human being’s life can be
given and taken away at any time; it is not everlasting
and so we have to live life to the fullest.
In fact, during World War II, the flowers took on
a similar meaning when they were painted
on the side of Japanese warplanes.
Hope
The start of the cherry blossom season
signifies the arrival of new beginnings where
it coincides with the day students begin their
first day of school and new employees
commence their first day of work. Besides that,
the intense and vibrant blossoming of cherry
blossoms allow us to hope and dream of
achieving greater things while providing the
opportunity to forget past disappointments
and failures and to look ahead with
optimism and enthusiasm.
Power
Cherry blossoms represent
feminine beauty in China. It is believed
that women’s greatest weapon lies in
her good looks and by exploiting this,
she can always be in command. And
thus, a cherry blossom is an imagery
of feminine dominance and also of
love in a less aggressive note.
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