Pretty in Pink: Why Cherry Blossoms are Special

Sources: Romantic TV, Persona.co.id, chopstickgang.com, onethreeonefour.com It’s springtime once again. Back in the days when people can fre...

Sources: Romantic TV, Persona.co.id, chopstickgang.com, onethreeonefour.com

It’s springtime once again. Back in the days when people can freely travel, expect the surge of tourists in South Korea, Washington, DC, and Japan. This surge is all in the name of the cherry blossoms. These fragrant and bedazzling flowers graced the backdrops of many South Korean movies and dramas, making every scene picturesque.

 
In Korea, April signals the beginning of the beot-kkot (cherry blossoms in Korean) season where people go out to gather for a grand pink spectacle that awaits. More commonly called in its Japanese name sakura, cherry blossoms display their burst of colors (white, green, and pink) for about two weeks only.

Commercialism takes advantage of the pink season by coming up with cherry-blossom-flavored snacks and drinks (try the cherry blossom frappuccino). Parties, concerts, and even a cherry blossom marathon in Gyeongju City were held, pre-pandemic. Nowadays, the government is discouraging people to go out as the COVID-19 situation is still in full swing.

Origins

The rare king cherry, Korea’s cherry tree, came from Jeju Island. The Yoshino variety that is native to Japan is more common. There are hundreds of cherry tree varieties around the world whose blossoms aren’t always pink. The Ukon variety changes its color from greenish-yellow to white to pink. Wow!

Blossoms and life

Aside from its eye-catching beauty, one may wonder what makes the cherry blossoms special. In Eastern cultures, these short-lived floral wonders signify the transient nature of life. Cherry blossoms symbolize brevity where after a short period of breathing new life from the dead cold winter days and nights, the blossoms drizzle and fall away like they did not bloom at all. They’re reminders of renewal/rebirth by ushering in a new season in life.

Best places to see pink

If you’re already in South Korea, you are a blessed traveler. According to Stars and Stripes Korea, here are the best places and dates to see the cherry blossoms:

Chungju – April 1

Seoul – April 2

Yeouido – April 3

Incheon – April 3

Chuncheon – April 5

There are many other countries in the world where cherry blossoms are plenty. If you’re in one of them, this is a fascinating season for you. But don’t fret as technology has its way of bringing the world to you if you cannot travel. Try Bloomcam to watch the cherry blossoms during the day in real-time. 

Don’t be April-fooled because it’s for real. It’s a cherry blossoms pink-kind-of-world for Instagram again.

Photo from wallpaperaccess.com

(To read trivia about cherry blossoms, read 

10 Interesting Facts About Cherry Blossoms You Didn’t Know) 

Sources: BBC Earth, Stars and Stripes Korea