Cherry blossom tattoos are some of the most popular tattoo designs for women currently. The beauty and delicate nature of a cherry blossom can’t be denied. In both Japanese and Chinese cultures the cherry blossom is full of symbolic meaning and significance. Before deciding to get a cherry blossom tattoo design it makes sense to understand the symbolism and deep cultural connections and meaning that this tattoo might hold.
After all the best tattoo designs are ones that hold a great deal of symbolic significance. Typically the tattoo that is universally regretted is the one that was gotten while out with a bunch of friends just because they were getting one. So don’t fall into the trap and regret your tattoo later in life. Instead if you are planning on getting a tattoo at least take the time to research the symbolism and meaning behind it and see if it speaks to you and if the ideas are significant in your life.
While many people tend to blend and confuse the Japanese and Chinese culture together from lack of knowledge the two are very different in many ways. Therefore the meaning and symbolism that the cherry blossom holds is different in each culture.
Chinese Cherry Blossom
For the Chinese the cherry blossom is a very significant symbol of power. Typically it represent a feminine beauty and sexuality and often holds an idea of power or feminine dominance. Within the language of herbs and herbal lore of the Chinese the cherry blossom is often the symbol of love.
Japanese Cherry Blossom
In Japan the meaning of cherry blossom tattoos is something totally different. The Japanese believe that there is a connection between cherry blossoms and the admiration of life and shortness of existence and the sadness of those passed. This connection is because the blossoms only survive on trees for a short period before they fall off and wither away.
This link cherry blossoms and mortality is very symbolic in the Japanese culture and has been displayed in the traditional artworks there for hundreds of years together with more recent anime. With this meaning of cherry blossom tattoos it might change some minds about getting this tattoo design. But it might also give you a new perspective of how fragile life can be so you can live your life to the fullest with the brief time you have on this Earth. It will remind you that even if you hard in hard times that things will get better.
There are many diverse varieties of the cherry blossom which some don’t really know. The most popular one in Japan is the Somei Yoshino that has large white blossoms and only small sign of pink in the petals. Other choices have much more pink in the design which you will mostly see tattooed.
Once you figure out what meaning of cherry blossom tattoos that you want to represent make sure that you get a good tattoo artist to do the work. Japanese artwork can be very complex and someone with the right amount of experience will do a great job and you will have a great looking tattoo design that has meaning to yo