Cherry Tree Symbolism Facts & Meaning: Zodiac, Superstitions, Dreams, and Myths
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Cherry Tree Facts
Have you ever seen a Cherry Tree? It’s fascinating, right? Cherry blossoms, a variety of Cherry Trees, are known for their striking pink and white colored flower buds. The trees are commonly found in Japan but they can also be found anywhere in the globe. Cherry Tree means spring and renewal.
There are some interesting facts about Cherry Trees that you may not be familiar with. Who would have known that not all Cherry Trees bear fruit? Or that Cherry blossoms are edible?
The Cherry blossom capital of the world is Macon, Georgia and not somewhere in Japan which you may have guessed, right? However, the first imported Cherry Trees to the U.S.A. were planted in Maryland. Cherry blossom makes up the top-selling fragrance in the U.S.A. Also, there are already about 400 Cherry Trees named in Amsterdam. In Japan, it is a tradition to have a picnic beneath Cherry Trees. Yoshino is the most popular variety of Cherry Tree.
Cherry Trees have a short lifespan and only lived up to 30 years. They aren’t always pink and they certainly are worldwide. The peak bloom is around the month of March and April.
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Cherry Tree Uses
Cherry Trees have lots of uses. The trees can be used as a source of food for humans and animals. It can also be used in woodturning, woodworking, and landscaping.
Cherry Trees also signify a symbol of nature. It can also be used in farming, as a bonsai, for firewood, medicine, flooring, and smoking wood. Additionally, the Cherry Tree has a unique significance in Japanese culture.
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Cherry Tree History
Cherry Tree plantings were given to the United States as a gift from the People of Japan in 1912. These flowering trees are also known as “Sakura” in Japanese which symbolize the evanescence of human life and an epitome of the transformation of Japan over the years. It was first planted in Chevy Chase, Maryland by Dr. David Fairchild, a plant explorer for U.S. Department of Agriculture, on his property.
Since then, Cherry Trees became famous for their beauty and the first Cherry Blossom Festival was celebrated in 1935 which became an annual event in the following years.
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Cherry Tree Positive Symbolism
Cherry Trees are pervasive in Japan and are known worldwide for their beauty and symbolism. Cherry Trees are known as a symbol of hope, new life, and new beginnings. It also signifies honor, discipline, and sacrifice. Additionally, the Cherry Tree signifies and symbolizes peace and friendship. Oftentimes, it symbolizes birth and beauty.
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Cherry Tree Negative Symbolism
Aside from their positive symbolisms, the Cherry Tree also signifies the opposite in some aspects. It can signify death and violence. For instance, fallen blossoms represent the death of a Samurai as the famous Japanese proverb says, “Hana wa sakuragi, hito wa bushi” or in English translation which says, “The best blossom is the cherry blossom, the best man is the warrior”.
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Cherry Tree Cultural Symbolism
Aside from Japan, the Cherry Tree also means something for other different cultures such as in the Asian countries. In China, Cherry blossom signifies power. The Chinese culture denotes or symbolizes the tree to be of feminine dominance and an indication of female beauty and sexuality. It is also a symbol of love in the language of herbs. Hence, Cherry Trees are often gifted as a symbol of life in China.
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Cherry Tree Zodiac Sign
In Japanese, the Cherry Tree or Cherry blossom in the zodiac entails that a person born between February 15 and March 20 is energetic and charged with a lot of positive energy. Additionally, they act impulsively and do not wait for the “right moment” to initiate. This makes them suffer sometimes on account of their doubts about the people in their circle.
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Cherry Tree in Dreams
Have you ever dreamt of a Cherry Tree? Do you know what it means? Seeing a Cherry Tree in a dream means that you’ll be going to meet such a nice person that you’ll be very happy to know. This can also mean that you’re going into a relationship and will be marrying that person! Otherwise, it is signifying that you’re going to meet someone well-known and notable.
If you’re an entrepreneur, this dream represents that you’ll be successful in achieving your goals. This could mean a business expansion most of the time.
On one hand, dreaming of a Cherry Tree may bring uncertainty to your life. You’ll feel indecisive at some point in your life and have a roller coaster of emotions. If you’re single, then this can be a sign that you’ll be in a relationship as mentioned previously. But if you’re a married person, this can mean that you’ll be expecting a son. The dream may also mean that you’ll be able to find a job in another city.
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Cherry Tree Omens and Superstitions
In some countries like Scotland, Cherry Trees are considered and seen as the witches’ trees. Hence, the use of the Cherry Tree is deemed as unlucky. It is also connected to a cuckoo bird. However, in Japanese folklore, Cherry Trees are believed to bring positive connotations and symbolism.
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Cherry Tree Mythology and Folklore
A Japanese legend is the “Cherry Tree of the 16th Day” which is a tale concerning a ghost of a lonely samurai who had outlived his children and other loved ones. It is said that he only found comfort in the ancient Cherry Tree at his garden with which it has been told that his ghost entered the tree and made it bloom. Hence, it is believed that since then the Cherry Tree blooms every 16th day of January.
Aside from the above folklore, another mythology or superstition associated with the Cherry Tree is the Uba-zakura or the Milk Nurse Cherry Tree which is believed to blossom on the death anniversary of a devoted wet nurse who gave her soul and life to save the child she cared for and lives on in the form of the tree.
