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Today, two Japanese hina dolls—an Emperor and Empress—preside over the Google colors in celebration of Hinamatsuri, an annual Japanese festival during which families wish for the health and happiness of their young girls. Also known as Girls’ Day, Hinamatsuri is believed to be rooted in the Heian-period custom nagashi-bina, where straw-and-paper dolls were placed in boats and floated down rivers to spirit away misfortune.
Though nagashi-bina ceremonies are still part of Hinamatsuri festivities in some regions, the day is more widely celebrated with elaborate displays of dolls (hina-ningyo) symbolically arranged on five- to seven-step platforms draped in red carpet. Each step depicts a different scene, always beginning with the Emperor and Empress, who are dressed in colorful kimonos that represent ancient court costumes. These splendid arrangements decorate restaurants, shops, and family homes in the month leading up to Hinamatsuri. On festival day, people partake in traditional food and drink, such as chirashi-zushi (scattered sushi), shirozake (sweet white sake), and hishimochi (red, white, and green rice cakes shaped like diamonds). Today’s Doodle honors Hinamatsuri with two hina-ningyo handcrafted from paper. In a special homage, the Emperor and Empress’ robes are fashioned from chiyogami, Japanese origami paper. Cherry blossoms—another symbol of this festive day—bloom above them, imparting good luck. |
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Today, two Japanese hina dolls—an Emperor and Empress—preside over the Google colors in celebration of Hinamatsuri, an annual Japanese festival during which families wish for the health and happiness of their young girls. Also known as Girls’ Day, Hinamatsuri is believed to be rooted in the Heian-period custom nagashi-bina, where straw-and-paper dolls were placed in boats and floated down rivers to spirit away misfortune.
ReplyDeleteThough nagashi-bina ceremonies are still part of Hinamatsuri festivities in some regions, the day is more widely celebrated with elaborate displays of dolls (hina-ningyo) symbolically arranged on five- to seven-step platforms draped in red carpet. Each step depicts a different scene, always beginning with the Emperor and Empress, who are dressed in colorful kimonos that represent ancient court costumes.
These splendid arrangements decorate restaurants, shops, and family homes in the month leading up to Hinamatsuri. On festival day, people partake in traditional food and drink, such as chirashi-zushi (scattered sushi), shirozake (sweet white sake), and hishimochi (red, white, and green rice cakes shaped like diamonds).
Today’s Doodle honors Hinamatsuri with two hina-ningyo handcrafted from paper. In a special homage, the Emperor and Empress’ robes are fashioned from chiyogami, Japanese origami paper. Cherry blossoms—another symbol of this festive day—bloom above them, imparting good luck.