On March 3rd of each year, girls’ are celebrated for Hina Matsuri or Girl’s Day. The tradition for celebrating these young people dates back to the Edo Period in Ancient Japan when people would create paper dolls which were meant to ward off evil and sicknesses. Then they would cast all of the dolls into the streams, and feeling cleansed, they would be ready to welcome the Spring.
In Japan, celebrating this day means that beautiful delicate dolls are displayed in homes, stores, and schools. Also, celebratory foods such mochi (sweet rice cakes), arare (rice crackers) and amazake (sweet non-alchoholic rice wine) are consumed.
Mochi are popular sweet rice cakes that come in three colors, white meaning “Snow”, green meaning “Growth”, and pink meaning “peach flowers.” With all of these beautiful dolls and delicious sweet cakes around, what little girl wouldn’t love to feel celebrated and a bit like a princess for a day?
Click here for more information about where celebrations are being held around the world.
