May 3, 2016

Did you know that in Japan, Hina Matsuri (雛祭り) is celebrated on March 3rd? Hina Matsuri, also known as Girls' Day and Doll Festival, is celebrated by displaying hina ningyo (雛人形) on a platform covered in red carpet. The dolls represent members of the imperial court. Family members gather together to enjoy snacks, like hina arare (雛あられ), and wish the girls good health and happiness. It is said that hina matsuri came about from nagashi bina (流し雛), a custom in which paper dolls (with bad luck written on the backs) were placed on small straw boats and floated down rivers. It was believed to dispel impurities and misfortune.