One of the most astonishing symbols of spring is the yearly Cherry Blossoms that fill the trees and sprinkle the ground with stunning pink and white flowers. The weather is warming as the world emerges from a cold and sometimes lonely winter. Nothing signals change and growth like the awakening of nature.
Springtime is an opportunity to assess how you might want to change, and what cold winter habits you can choose to leave behind.
In the capital of the United States, the cherry blossom is a celebrated symbol of spring.
In 1912, some 3,000 cherry trees were sent from the Japanese government to Washington, D.C., as a gift from the Japanese people to the people of the United States. The trees were planted throughout the capital city and their springtime blossoms are celebrated with the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
The Cherry trees of Nara Park
Nara Park is a large public park in the town of Nara, Japan. The park was designated in 1880, which makes the park one of the oldest in Japan. Visitors can walk the 1,200 acres and visit the two Buddhist temples and the Kasuga Grand Shrine. Also on display is a 50-foot tall statue of the Buddha, housed inside the Nara National Museum.
The Japanese call the cherry blossoms, Sakura, meaning a special flower for the country and the people. The flower is a symbol of renewal, as the earth wakes up from a long winter and springs to life with new growth and the chance for prosperity.
Springtime is a chance for personal growth.
It is a time to look at what we want to change and how we can set goals for our own prosperity. It’s also a chance to leave behind old habits that are burdensome, and ask ourselves if we want to continue to carry these attitudes and thought patterns into a new season of life on earth.
The Sika Deer
A striking element of this nature vista is the deer chilling on a carpet of cherry blossoms. The Sika Deer of Japan’s Nara Park, are considered sacred. According to folklore, centuries ago a god visited the area riding a white deer, and that changed the course of nature for these woodland creatures.
In a correspondence dated in the 1500s, a Jesuit Missionary wrote about the Nara deer,
“[A] noteworthy thing in this place is the herd of about three or four thousand tame deer which roam through the city. Belonging to the temple, they graze in the fields and wander through the streets… they are worshipped because of their connection with the temple…”
Many folks on Youtube are catching onto this spectacular video.
John A explains the sentiments perfectly,
“So A W E S O M E ! ! !”
By the way, the cracker that’s fed to the deer in this video, are special deer crackers that can be purchased at the park.
Watch the video and make it full screen to see all the intricate detail of the cheery blossoms. We hope the scenic view can envelop you in the beauty of spring as we all enter a new season together.
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