A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF UZBEKISTAN AND JAPAN: FLOWER ASSOCIATIONS ACROSS CULTURES
Keywords:
cultural symbolism, national identity, sakura, apricot blossom, Uzbekistan, JapanAbstract
This article explores the symbolic significance of flowers in the cultural identities of Uzbekistan and Japan, focusing on the comparison between the Japanese cherry blossom (sakura) and the Uzbek apricot blossom (bahor gullari). Both nations associate these flowers with beauty, purity, and renewal, yet their interpretations reveal distinct cultural perspectives. In Japan, the sakura symbolizes the transience of life and harmony with nature, while in Uzbekistan, the apricot blossom represents hope, fertility, and the joy of spring. Through this comparative analysis, the paper demonstrates how natural symbols can embody both universal and local meanings, serving as powerful expressions of national identity and cultural continuity.
References
1. Geertz, C. (1973). The Interpretation of Cultures. New York: Basic Books.
2. Barthes, R. (1977). Image, Music, Text. London: Fontana Press.
3. Kato, S. (1997). A History of Japanese Literature: From the Manyoshu to Modern Times. Tokyo: Kodansha.
4. Muxtarovna S. N. Independent learning //Евразийский научный журнал. – 2017. – №. 4. – С. 374-375.
5. Karimov, I. (1998). High Spirituality is an Invincible Force. Tashkent: Uzbekistan Publishing House.
6. Navoi, A. (1989). Selected Works. Tashkent: Fan Publishing.
7. Saidov, A. (2015). “Cultural Traditions of Uzbekistan and the Symbolism of Nature.” Uzbek Studies Journal, 7(2), 45–52.
8. Yamada, T. (2012). “Cherry Blossoms and Japanese Aesthetics.” Asian Cultural Review, 14(1), 23–31.
