Jul 07, 2018
Tanabata 2018
This Doodle’s Key Themes
Once a year, two star-crossed lovers meet across the Milky Way for a fated reunion—or so the legend of the Japanese festival Tanabata goes. Known as the “Star Festival,” Tanabata is traditionally celebrated in Japan on the seventh day of the seventh month each year. In the Gregorian calendar, that’s today, but some celebrations take place in August.
Originating from the Chinese Qixi Festival, Tanabata was brought to Japan in 755 AD and is still popular today. Present customs center around matsuri (festivals). Often held in places decked with colorful streamers and elaborate ornaments, matsuri include parades, music, dancing, and fireworks. Though festivities vary by locale, you’ll almost always find street vendors peddling tasty snacks.
In today’s Doodle, we celebrate Tanabata with a depiction of the lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi amidst a constellation of Google stars. Beneath them are bamboo branches decorated with wishes—a representation of one of Tanabata’s most storied traditions. In this time-honored custom, people write wishes on vibrant tanzaku (strips of paper), before adorning the bamboo in hopes they’ll come true.
Our wish this year is a happy Tanabata for all!
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