🤓On Children's Day in Japan, I saw thousands of carp swimming in the sky

🌸May 5th is Children's Day in Japan. Special carp flags are hung everywhere to celebrate the happy growth and health of children. This tradition began in the Edo period, when the custom was to celebrate "Boys' Day" on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar (also China's Dragon Boat Festival). Every family will hang a carp flag at the door to pray for the boys to grow up healthily and have a bright future. 🌺Later in 1948, in order to adapt to the new calendar, Children's Day was changed to May 5th of each year. The story of the carp flag comes from the well-known legend of "Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate". The carp growing in the Yellow River can only become a giant dragon if they strive to jump over the Dragon Gate. This symbolizes the elders' expectations for a better future for their children. The traditional carp flags have particular colors and are usually divided into three types: black, red, and blue, and are arranged from large to small. Black represents the father, red represents the mother, and cyan symbolizes the children in the family. However, nowadays, there are many different styles of carp flags, showing endless creativity and imagination. In the half month before Children's Day, fish flags can be seen hanging all over Japan. Especially in Takahashi City in Osaka, thousands of carp streamers are hung on this day every year. When the breeze blows, the spectacular sight of thousands of "carp" swimming freely in the sky is amazing. Akutagawa Sakura Tsutsumi Park in Takahashi, Osaka Prefecture Time: April 24th - May 6th Come and experience this delightful festival! #Sakura2024