Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossoms at Gardens by the Bay

Japanese dolls as props.

All the shapes under one roof. Here you see the funnel shaped ones. Below are the weeping willow types with slender draping branches.

PRUNUS YEODENSIS
Also known as Yoshino Cherry, this Japanese favourite produces classic white flowers that have five petals.

PRUNUS ACCOLADE

So pretty and delicate, they look like silk. Its within reach of hand. Thats how close you can get.

Gardens by the Bay
18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
6420 6848
https://g.co/kgs/mmgS5X
http://m.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/whats-on/calendar-of-events/sakura-matsuri.html

Butterflies and pomegranates

I am very pleased to receive this pretty embroidery bag from a friend, an ideal size for carrying keys and my clip-on mike.
Where: Chinatown Classic, KL, Malaysia

There are motifs of butterflies, cherry blossoms and pomegranates. This design is typical of Qing Dynasty embroidery.

In Chinese literature, butterflies symbolise lovers reunited, the love story of a pair of lovers, Liang Shanbo (梁山伯) and Zhu Yingtai (祝英台).

According to Garden with wings, Butterflies are deep and powerful representations of life. Many cultures associate the butterfly with our souls. The Christian religion sees the butterfly as a symbol of resurrection. Around the world, people view the butterfly as representing endurance, change, hope, and life. There is no doubt the butterfly has significant meanings to us.

Whatever its symbolism, it is one of the mysteries of nature, a transformation from a crawling creature to one of flight.

Cherry blossoms too are a symbol of renewal and change. The first signs of spring after a bitter winter. Recently I met a Japanese horticulturalist Inada-san if we can grow Yuzu in Singapore. He replied that perhaps the color will not turn yellow because the winter gestation is critical.

What then with the pomegranate? In Chinese literature, it symbolise abundance, especially fertility in offspring.

In Judaism, pomegranates were included on the pillars of Solomon’s temple. 

Deuteronomy 8:8 – the Lord is speaking to the Israelites of the promised land, which will be “a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey

Numbers 13:23 – Israelites sent into Canaan returned with grapes, pomegranates and figs.

Some say its not physical abundance but spiritual abundance, fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self control.

What are the symbols from your culture?

May you be blessed with hope, renewal, abundance in the New Year.

Hanami? Shall we view the blossoms together?

At the Gardens by the Bay, Singapore. Go early in the morning. There are very few people. I spot some tourists.

Only the Japanese can think of this. Growing the cherry blossom upside down.

Cherry blossoms are known as Sakura in Japan. When I was in university some thirty years ago, I went to Nagoya on a school trip and was very fortunate to catch an unexpected  late bloomer in April/ May. It’s really beautiful especially the canopy of feathery soft pink.

There’s mixed feelings of being lucky, joyful and reminder that joy and life is transient.

Even in Japan, you will not see the groupings of many cherry blossoms under one glass roof. Even in Japan, not all the trees flower on the same day.

Some of the trees are flown in from Europe, Germany. Flowers are double petalled, which look more voluminous.

It’s very cold in there, temperature has to drop to ensure the blossoms open.

Transported into a different world.

This was from last year’s show and the Gardens managed to get it to bloom again. Talk about recycling. Ummm. Renewal and rebirth. :-))

The wings are made from the roots of the lychee tree.

There’s a dinasaur display for children.

I walked to Bayfront MRT station and transfered train at Chinatown where I had breakfast.

Otherwise if I’d company, breakfast at Marina Bay Sands will be a nice morning outing before going to work in the afternoon. Do your own hanami, or hana- flower, viewing with your friends and have breakfast.  Who said having fun must only be on weekends?

If you want to make your day count.