The cherry blossom, also known in South Korea as beojkkoch (bee-oh-kkot), was originally introduced into South Korea when Japan colonized Korea in the late 1800s. Since then, the trees have flourished all over the country and now even grow wildly in the mountains thanks to the birds and bees that carry their pollen. The beautiful pink trees are important to not only Korean culture but also to Japanese culture! In both cultures, the trees represent the beauty of life and hope for a bright future. They also represent the coming of spring because they only bloom from late March to mid-April. Most people rush to see them since they only last two to three weeks! During this time, which is called the Cherry Blossom festival, you can find snacks and drinks that are cherry blossom-themed and everyone wears pink.
The cherry blossom is a pale flower with a slightly darker inside that is shaped like a star. Some cherry blossoms look white and others are very noticeably pink. The branches are long and dark, and they perfectly contrast with the bright colors of the petals. The petals may also have a cut at the end. Funnily enough, it looks like a small slice of pie was taken out of them!
