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Cherry blossom tattoo

The Japanese fell in love with the unusual delicate plant so much that they began to decorate their bodies with flowers. Later, this trend spread to other continents.

Now you can see both girls and guys with sakura twigs on their hands, on their necks, even on their legs. However, it is worth understanding the meaning of the sakura tattoo before applying it to your body, because before the wise Japanese did not paint themselves just like that: each petal, each branch carried a special secret meaning.

The meaning of the cherry blossom tattoo

The meaning of the sakura tattoo is directly related to the peculiarities of the flowering of this amazingly beautiful plant. In addition, the role that this tree plays in Japanese culture has an impact on the meaning of the sakura tattoo.

The tradition of celebrating the cherry blossom period (hanami) dates back to around 710 AD. NS. Initially, this holiday was celebrated only by the upper class. However, later, every ordinary Japanese could come with his family under the blossoming sakura tree and enjoy its short-lived delicate beauty. Today there are more than 150 types of the so-called Japanese cherry.

Aristocratic origin

As you know, earlier Japanese cherry trees grew mainly in the imperial gardens. High-ranking persons spent their leisure under their shade, shared news, weaved intrigues. Since then, it was believed that a tattoo of a sakura branch on a human body speaks of a person's high origin, of his proximity to the emperor. Thus, the sakura tattoo on the back was a hint of the so-called blue blood.

Sorrow

White color in Japan symbolizes grief, longing and sadness. Thus, a tattoo of a white sakura, which is losing its petals, can symbolize grief for a loved one who prematurely left this world. It is noteworthy that in the Japanese art of tattooing, each flower and leaf depicted on the body separately has a meaning. In Europe, the sakura tattoo is more for beauty and is perceived as a whole sketch.

Spiritual purity

If you remember the legend about the brave peasant Sakura and his children, then the meaning of the sakura tattoo for girls and guys can mean purity of spirit,

Beauty, femininity

The bride of the grandson of the sun goddess Niniga, Blossoming, possessed a truly extraordinary beauty, so it was not difficult for her to win the heart of the young god. Likewise, a girl's sakura tattoo means youth, vitality, unfading beauty, feminine attractiveness and attractiveness.

Fortitude, courage

Along with femininity, sakura can also mean willpower, courage. Didn't it take courage for a brave peasant to challenge a cruel prince? Flowers on this unusually beautiful tree appear much earlier than leaves, which also testifies to the resistance of sakura to adverse weather conditions.

The transience of life

Since ancient times, the flowering of sakura meant the transience of life for the poetic Japanese, as the stern god of the mountains predicted the fate of Niniga's descendants. The sakura blossom lasts on average for about a week, and then the delicate petals are easily torn off by gusts of merciless wind. In the culture of Japan, this phenomenon is associated with the transience of human life, where each flower is someone's aborted life. However, a poet of aristocratic origin, Kenko-hoshi, noted that human life is beautiful in its fragility.

Sakura is often combined with other symbols that can slightly change the meaning of the tattoo.

  1. Sakura and hummingbird can mean femininity, tenderness, sexual energy (hummingbird is a symbol of vitality and sexuality). American Indians believed that hummingbirds were the souls of deceased lovers. So, sakura paired with hummingbirds can be a symbol of fleeting lost love.
  2. Sakura and butterfly symbolize rebirth, bright life, love, tenderness. However, you should be careful with a butterfly tattoo, because for a long time they were considered an attribute of geisha, so over time the butterfly became a symbol of accessibility and frivolity.
  3. A composition in which sakura and hieroglyphs, may have different meanings, and it will become clear only after the translation of the hieroglyph. Before getting a tattoo, it is better to be puzzled by the translation, contacting a professional translator, so as not to get into an awkward situation later. The sakura twig goes well with the hieroglyph "happiness". Sakura paired with the hieroglyph "tiger" can mean strength, power and wisdom.

How to decorate your body?

Having dealt with the meaning of the sakura tattoo in women and men, it's time to think about the composition of the drawing. It is also important to choose a place on the body, which will be decorated with a flowering Japanese cherry, and a tattoo style that suits you personally.

A sakura tattoo in watercolor will add more tenderness and sophistication to an already beautiful flower. In this technique, slightly blurred outlines and more delicate colors prevail than in realism. The contours of the picture are often made in black, and the colored elements look a little blurry, as if going beyond the edges of the contour.

Black and white sakura is a frequent choice of men, because such a pattern emphasizes sensuality and at the same time restraint. Some believe that it is the black and white tattoo that leaves more room for imagination. Traditionally, black remains the "king" in tattoo culture to this day.

Oriental is an oriental style in the art of tattooing, which often features characters from Japanese mythology, symbols to which the Japanese attach great importance. It is logical that the image of sakura in this style will most accurately convey the traditions and culture of the mysterious East. Such work is often done in color. An important distinguishing feature of the oriental is symmetry, accuracy of shapes and lines.

К minimalism most often girls who do not want to see huge drawings on their bodies come running. This style is perfect for you if you are a sensual, but secretive nature, you like to save everything personal only for yourself and for a very narrow circle of close people. A miniature and delicate branch of sakura on the leg for a girl will be an excellent solution.

Photo of sakura tattoo on head

Photo of sakura tattoo on body

Photo of sakura tattoo on hand

Photo of sakura tattoo on leg