Cultural spring celebrations

_Elsa_

The girls never realized how much Mother Nature nurtures the various aspects of nature. The beauty and color of each flower is incredible. Tiffi’s mind begins to think of ways that she can plant a garden at home to appreciate the beauty all summer long.

As the two of them continue their walk, Tiffi shares more information about spring. The blossoming of nature has taken her breath away.

“Many cultures celebrate the return of spring, the blossoming of nature or the rise of the vernal equinox. In Japan, the annual blossoming of cherry trees has become a significant national event. Hanami, or cherry blossom viewing, is a time for festivals and gatherings at parks and shrines, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. Cherry blossoms, or sakura, symbolize the transience of life, which is a major theme in Buddhism.

People of the Jewish faith celebrate Passover, which commemorates when the Jewish people were freed from slavery to Egypt, according to History. The day falls on the first full moon after the northern spring equinox and lasts for seven days.

Spring in many countries with a strong Christian tradition is marked by Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and his triumph over physical death. However, it has roots in older traditions.

"Easter is derived from a much older celebration of fertility and rebirth, the Celtic festival of Ostara," Cristina De Rossi, an anthropologist at Barnet and Southgate College in London, told Live Science. "The bunnies and the eggs are symbolic of fertility and reproduction." 

Albania celebrates Dita e Verës on March 14, which also stems from pagan roots. Pilgrimages were once made to the peaks of the Albanian mountains, where prayers were offered to the Sun God for a prosperous year.

Mayday celebrations are common around Europe. The Maypole dance is a popular folk festival, particularly in parts of Germany and the United Kingdom. "The pole symbolizes sacred trees, the world axis, the phallus, growth and regeneration," said De Rossi.” You can read more here. 

Let's continue with the next part of our story – Beautiful birds in the springtime

Start at the beginning of the story – Springtime in Candy Town