Hinamachi

Hinamachi [棠萦; ひなまち] is the Kantonese tradition of appreciating the national plant, the magnolia tree. 棠 means "magnolia" and 萦 is a character which can mean "party", "festival", "celebration" or "appreciation". The most common translation of the latter is "festival". The tradition usually takes place in early May to late June, following the blooming period of magnolia trees, and can take place either by daylight or at night.
In modern-day Kanton, most people celebrate a singular day known as 棠の没 (hina no ya), which is treated as a day of gratitude and appreciation for what blessings one has. Usually, outdoor parties will take place either at the height of noon (12pm-1pm) or late in the evening (6pm-8pm). Hinamachi held at night is called 物棠别く (yūhina; "nighttime magnolias"). It is traditional for paper lanterns to be strung in parks where the nighttime festivals are held.
Historically, hinamachi was reserved for the elite upperclass, who often owned their own recreational gardens and parks in which the magnolia trees grew. Originally, the purpose of the festival was to allow mingling between members of certain families, make acquaintences and occasionally tell stories. In the mid-1800s, however, the practice became more common with the working-class, and eventually transformed into an event held for the purposes of giving gratitude and appreciating the beauty of nature.
According to tradition, it is very good luck to hold a wedding during the flowering period of magnolia trees. For this reason, many wedding ceremonies are held during hinamachi across the country. In fact, the magnolia flower has become associated with romance and love. Even the word hinamachi has become a synonym for a prosperous, harmonious and happy marriage.
== Festivals ==
Festivities last for around 7 days, stopping just short of the end of the usual blooming period. In 2018, it was estimated that around 3.5 million people attended hinamachi all over Kanton during this short timeframe.
The festivals are known for their cheerful, vibrant, atmospheres, abundance of traditional food and drinks, and live music performances. In some years, there have been performances of old story-songs and poetry recitals revolving around the appreciation of magnolia trees. In some regions, a separate festival is held especially for young children to attend.
Traditional cuisine served varies from place to place, but there are a few staples, such as:
* Apple wine or cordial, along with apple juice or soda
* Steamed or fried tōgi
* Steamed bread
*Milky tea (chayu)
*Ice cream
* Vegetable fritters called bashi, also placed at shrines