Hinamatsuri is a Japanese festival that is celebrated every year on the 3rd of March. It is also known as the doll festival, and it celebrates female children where people pray for their continued health and happiness. During the holiday, families display ceramic dolls dressed in the decorative robes of the ancient imperial court.
This festival is one of the five sekku, or seasonal festivals, that are celebrated throughout the year. The five festivals together are known as gosekku, and originate from the Heian period (794-1185). The festivals fell on the first day of the year’s first moth, the third day of the third month and so on – on the modern calendar they are celebrated on January 1st, March 3rd, May 5th, July 7th and September 9th. These dates are considered to be highly favourable due to the doubling of odd numbers for the month and date.
The dolls that are central to this celebration are displayed on a red-carpeted, stepped platform called a hinadan. The displays can vary from very simple to incredibly ornate and originated in the court culture of Kyoto before spreading across the nation in the 18th century. However, once the festival is finished, the dolls and decorations must be quickly packed away, as it is believed that leaving them out too long will harm a daughter’s chances of marriage.
Join the discussion
0 people are already talking about this, why not let us know what you think?