Now we can say that flowers are part of a country’s cultural traits, history, and even national identity. They are used in rituals, celebrations, expressions of feelings, and strangely enough, flowers have their own rules and traditions, the violation of which can lead to awkward situations. Just as it is important to track a cell phone when traveling to avoid getting lost in an unfamiliar country, it is also useful to know flower customs to avoid cultural mistakes.
Many countries of the world annually hold grand flower festivals – real celebrations of beauty and fragrances. However, each such festival has its own traditions, and in different countries there are curious rules of giving flowers that are worth considering. So today we will tell you more about the most impressive flower festivals in the world, the hidden meanings of flowers and how you can avoid getting into a mess if you decide to please someone with a bouquet.
- Hanami (Japan) – Sakura Blossom Tour
- When: March-April
- Where: all over Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Fuji)
- Top flowers: Sakura
In Japan, flowers are not just a decoration or a sign of attention, but part of the national worldview, so Hanami is more than just a national holiday, it’s a whole philosophy. Hanami means “admiring flowers”, and the main characters of this holiday are blossoming Sakura trees. Every year, millions of Japanese people and tourists go to the parks to enjoy the brief but unforgettable beauty of pink and white petals.
During this period, parks in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and other cities are filled with people picnicking under flowering trees, enjoying the beauty of nature. Many tourists come especially for these dates, and locals book the best places in the parks in advance to spend a few hours or even a whole day there.
By the way, did you know that cherry blossoms last only a few days? In Japan, there is even a Sakura blossom forecast so that people can plan picnics in time. In ancient times, only aristocrats could admire the Sakura, but contemporaries are luckier, because now this tradition has become generally available. You should also know that you cannot give Sakura as a gift in Japan – it is not cut, as it is a symbol of the transience of life.
What should you know about flower traditions? In Japan, you don’t give an even number of flowers – even numbers are associated with funerals. Yellow flowers can mean separation, white lilies can mean mourning and cacti can mean hardship, so you should be careful with them. It is best to choose pink or red shades, which are associated with joy and harmony.
- Flower Parade in Holland – Bollenstreek Bloemencorso
- When: April
- Where: Netherlands (Route between Noordwijk and Haarlem)
- Main flowers: tulips, hyacinths, daffodils
Holland is not only the land of mills and bicycles, but also the world leader in tulips. Bollenstreek Bloemencorso is the country’s largest flower parade, held annually in April. Giant platforms decorated with millions of flowers slowly move along the route from Noordwijk to Haarlem, creating a truly magical spectacle.
Here you can see arrangements of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths skillfully woven into fantastic figures. The culmination of the festival is a large-scale flower show in Haarlem where plenty of tourists from all over the world flock.
Interesting fact: Every year more than 1.5 million flowers are used at the festival, and the Netherlands produces about 80% of the world’s tulips! By the way, once upon a time (in the 17th century to be exact) tulips were so valuable that one bulbous flower could cost more than a house in Amsterdam.
What about the rule of giving flowers? In Holland they love bright and colorful bouquets, and seasonal flowers are especially appreciated. An even or odd number of flowers is not important – here, the overall appearance of the bouquet and its harmonious combination with the mood or event is more important.
The tulip symbolizes love, so for a neutral gift it is better to choose lilies, daffodils or gerberas. The Dutch give flowers for any occasion, favoring natural, harmonious combinations.
Additional tourist tip: Since the festival takes place in spring, the weather can be changeable. It is better to bring a light raincoat, comfortable shoes and think about the route in advance – many streets are blocked, and movement can be difficult. And if you are traveling in a group, Number Tracker will help you keep track of each other’s location so that no one gets lost in the crowd. The app will be especially useful for families with children, as thousands of people gather in the streets during the parade and you need not to get lost in the chaos.
- The Battle of Flowers in Spain (La Batalla de Flores, Valencia)
- When: July
- Where: Valencia, Spain
- Main flowers: carnations, roses, gerberas
The festival was first held in 1891 and was conceived as the final celebration of the Valencia Fair. Back then, participants decorated carriages and threw flower petals at each other. Over time, the tradition has evolved into a grandiose show involving ornate platforms (floats), girls in national costumes (fallera) and spectators who compete in a floral duel.
The main element of the festival is carnations, roses and gerberas, which are used to throw and decorate the platforms. This is more than just a chaotic flower fight – there is an atmosphere of friendliness and joy, and the main rule is that no one can be left without flowers!
By the way, more than 100,000 fresh flowers are used during the festival, but Spaniards do not attach a negative meaning to yellow flowers (unlike the French, for whom they symbolize treason). Here carnations are the national flower of Spain, a symbol of passion and fiery temperament.
What should be considered when giving flowers in Spain? Here, white chrysanthemums and black roses are considered mourning flowers and are traditionally used at funerals, so it is not customary to give them in other situations. Red roses symbolize passion and deep feelings, so they are appropriate only in a romantic context. If you need a neutral option, orchids or lilies are suitable – they can be given to friends, colleagues and even business partners.
- Rose Festival in Bulgaria
- When: June
- Where: Rose Valley, Kazanlak
- Main flowers: roses
Bulgaria is one of the world’s leading producers of rose oil, and it’s no wonder that there is a special Rose Festival, an event dedicated to the beauty and fragrance of this flower. Every year in June, thousands of tourists flock to the Rose Valley to see the petal harvesting process and be part of the grand celebration.
The festival appeared in the early 20th century, when rose oil became one of Bulgaria’s main export products. Now the festival is accompanied by lavish parades, musical performances, master classes on the production of rose water and, of course, the selection of the “Queen of Roses” – a girl who symbolizes the tenderness and beauty of this flower.
Interesting facts: The Rose Festival in Bulgaria is celebrated due to the country’s importance in the production of rose oil, which accounts for more than 70% of the world’s volume. It takes about 3 tons of petals to produce 1 liter of oil, making it one of the most expensive in the world. The choice of the Rose Queen is based not only on the beauty, but also on the knowledge of Bulgarian traditions related to roses.
Bulgarian rules for giving flowers:
- In Bulgaria, it is customary to give flowers without wrapping to emphasize their natural beauty.
- Yellow roses can symbolize jealousy and distrust, so be careful with their choice.
- If you want to make a really valuable gift, it is better to give a bottle of Bulgarian rose oil – it is a national treasure of the country.
Fragrance Impressions
Flower festivals are an explosion of colors, fragrances and new impressions. Travel, enjoy the traditions of different countries and do not forget to share the bright moments with your dearest people. And to avoid getting lost in this floral chaos, always keep in touch with each other!
