This year I made:
A plum blossom.
The bud symbolises faithfulness, and the flower innocence.
A Hime Daruma
Daruma is a kind of doll that when fallen down stands up again. These are often made from papier mache, have a weight inside, and are thought of as bringing luck.
As a Hina ornament is symbolises endurance and the 'never give up' spirit that is so important in Japan.
Chili pepper
In olden days the Hina dolls, when not used, were stored in boxes with dried chili peppers. It served as a insect repellent (mothball).
Made for the Hina display, it is a wish that the girls of the family should not fall victim to evil 'insects' (bad luck or bad men!).
You can read much more about Hina at my page HINA, at the top of my blog.
Added later 1:
If you want to see lots of other Hina dolls, head over to Tanya's excellent report from her friend's house. Lots of pictures, don't miss it!
Added later 2:
KippySoMature mentiones in the comments below about the Hinamatsuri song. Here is a videoclip.
Beautiful ornaments, what a great celebration!
ReplyDeleteThis is a fun tradition and reminds me of preparing ornaments for Christmas.
DeleteThese are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThey are always fun to make!
DeleteOur Hina dolls are all in the many boxes that were pulled from storage. I am hoping they will wend their way to the original owners before long. Cute ornaments.
ReplyDeleteI bet you have a pair of hina owls!
DeleteMy mobile and the chirimen ornaments are easy to store, much easier and less bulky than the 'real' dolls.
Wonderful new ornaments! I'd like to make some too.
ReplyDeleteI have a book with the instructions and patterns for the various ornaments. There must be tutorials on the internet, but I have yet to locate them...
DeleteNice that you let us again know about the Hina tradition. I love the meaning in it, faithfulness, never give up, endurance ..... your ornaments are very pretty.
ReplyDeleteIn Japan child rearing is very important, and you often pray that your child will get all those highly valued qualities like faithfulness, endurance, stamina, and cherfullness.
DeleteNice new Hina items, thanks for explaning the meaning of them.
ReplyDeleteThis version of the doll festival is gaining popularity and more information is available online about the meaning behind each ornament.
DeleteCute ornaments. I'll head off to Tanya's page now, thanks.
ReplyDeleteAt Tanya's page you'll see so many more versions, as well as the original, traditional style.
Deletethank you Queenie - I still love singing the Hina Matsuri song around my house :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tip. I added a videoclip with the song.
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7L1uYEaEbY
Thanks for sharing the lovely tradition and explanations. I love the doll and the peach is pretty. I'd not thought of using chillies as an insect repellant. Must remember that one when I have plenty of chillies.
ReplyDeleteI'm off too, to visit the links.
I have no idea how efficient chilli peppers are against insects. They were use in OLDEN times.
Deletewonderful doll tradition.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it is a wonderful tradition. Girls and women might have and have had, little power in society and at work, but in the family they have always been celebrated and the tradition around HINA (Girls' Day Festival) is extensive. You have special meals, dress up, grandparents give expensive dolls to each granddaughter, you take up a good part of the room for the display, you have HINA tea parties... And for us who like craft, we can make new ornaments every year.
DeleteBeautiful ornaments , Hina dolls seams to be a great festival, your little doll is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteIt is a very important, and much loved, festival. Partly because it is full of pretty things and partly because it is in spring and in a way celebrating the end of winter.
Delete