Cherry Blossom Prints

Cherry trees are native to China and Japan. The meaning and symbolism of the cherry blossom changes based on which culture you are in. Cherry blossoms are held in high esteem in Japan and cherry trees are called "sakura". The Japanese have a holiday called Hanami which people celebrate annually with parities and the viewing of blossoming cherry trees. During this celebration people ponder the temporary nature of life. The cherry blossom blooming season is short just as our life. The cherry blossom is also important in Samuri culture as the Samuri are expected to have short lives just as the cherry blossom. In today's Japanese culture the cherry blossom is also associated with innocence, spring and simplicity. This is quite a contrast to the meaning of the cherry blossom in China. In Chinese culture the cherry blossom represents women's dominance, beauty, and feminine sexuality.

In Washington, D.C. the annual Cherry Blossom festival brings thousands to gaze upon the beautiful flowers of the cherry trees. In 1912, the city of Tokyo gave 3,000 cherry trees to the city of Washington, D.C. as a symbol of friendship between Japan and the United States.

No matter the meaning behind it, there are beautiful cherry blossom prints and posters available which try to capture the beauty of the short lived bloom. The Van Gogh Gallery Art Store has a number of different cherry blossom prints available. These include the Cherry Blossoms on Cinnabar series by Janet Tava, the Cherry Blossom series by Silvia Vassileva, Cherry Blossom tree in front of a temple, Kyoto, Honshu, Japan and Cherry Blossoms in Winter by Ryuijie.