#I spent way too much time reserching trees

[callmesinpai]

Bookbinding Updates:

@erisenyo

I have it decided, but I'm still making some tweaks.

Wisteria for These Things Written

Wisteria Symbolism

Despite its potentially aggressive nature, the wisteria flower symbolizes something quite different in cultures that have incorporated it into their rituals or philosophies.

Wisteria in Buddhism

Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, also called “Shin Buddhism” in the West, uses a double wisteria in its official crest to form a circle ‌representing humility and an open and welcoming mind and heart.‌ The humility is inherent in the way the wisteria flowers appear to hang upside down, as if their heads were hanging down. The wisteria blossoms symbolize new beginnings and the fleeting nature of all things.

Perhaps more in keeping with its growing behavior is that ‌it also symbolizes strength and hardiness,‌ as it blooms earlier than many other spring flowers, sometimes even when snow is still present.

Japanese Kabuki Drama

A famous Japanese kabuki dance ‌Fuji Musume‌, or the “Wisteria Maiden,” illustrates the story of a young maiden who embodies the spirit of the wisteria plant: romantic and shy.

Victorian England

The Victorians are famous for flower symbolism and adopted the wisteria ‌to represent passionate love and longing,‌ represented by the clinging nature of the vine. Wisteria is not a plant that grows easily in the British climate, but the elite imported it for its rareness and beauty and came to associate the wisteria flowers with the phrase “I cling to you.”

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I chose wisteria for this one because they represent new beginnings. When we meet Zuko he’s hurt, he’s angry, he’s still trying to accept things about himself that he’s been told are wrong. He’s strong and ready to take on anything thrown at him from a boom-a-rang to the head to finding the avatar that’s been missing for 100 years (an impossible quest). Then we have Sokka who is learning how the world actually works outside the Southern Water Tribe. He takes on the role as leader making sure the other two stay safe (as much as he can) because he can handle the pressure. He greets each thing thrown at him with a (mostly) open mind and heart.

Japanese Maple For These Things Unsaid

The Symbolism and Spiritual Meaning of Japanese Maple Trees

There are many symbols of Japanese red maple trees, such as abundant blessings, peace, beauty, patience, survival, the arrival of autumn, and so on. It is common to see Japanese people plant maple trees in their houses to bring luck and add good value to their houses by believing in red maple trees’ spiritual meaning.

Abundant Blessing

Japanese maple trees produce “samara” fruit in large amounts during September and October. This is because samara is a winged seed that scatters via a northwesterly wind at that time of year.

Samara seeds are also edible during the springtime. However, also consult a physician before ingesting anything in the wild.

Peace

The Japanese maple tree is a significant tree in nature, or “kito,” which means calm, rest, or peace. The symbol of peace keeps people calm and avoids stress and accidents to create a safe and happy life.

Beauty

The Japanese maple tree is known for its elegance and tastefulness, which many people find appealing. Even its shrubs have beautiful colors. Like most trees in the autumn, momiji leaves turn red, brown, purple, and gold.  

Because of their beauty, maple leaves are a common motif in traditional Japanese clothes. Kimonos, in particular, sport this lovely look, and it’s a perfect design for both autumn and winter.

Patience

Because maple trees take so long to grow to their most mature height, they are a common symbol of patience. For instance, maple trees must take about twenty to thirty years to reach their required length or height. 

To humans, momiji further represents that we must take time to reach our goals. Rushing to our goals will only make things worse. This is why we appreciate the timeless beauty of the Japanese maple tree.

Endurance

Red maple trees in Japan are famous for their association of partial shade areas so that they can still grow mature and beautiful even though there is just a little exposure to sunlight. These trees reflect to humans the ability to survive without giving up no matter how difficult the challenge they have encountered or how bad the environment existed.

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I chose the Japanese Maple not only because of it’s beauty but also because in book two both Sokka and Zuko start to learn patience and endurance. They both struggle with these in different ways but this is where they really start to grow. Book two also brings us brief moments of peace where the two of them can actually be together even if we already know that they’re going to separate again.

Sakura for These Things Known

The sakura bloom marks the end of chilly winters and the beginning of the spring season. However, this is not the only sign of the sakura flowers. They bring in a lot more, including a rich history and cultural significance in Japan. 

A long time ago, sakura was used to predict the year’s planting and harvest seasons by indicating the right time to plant crops for farmers. Because of that, the beginning of the sakura season is seen as a sign of renewal in Japan. 

Sakura also symbolizes human mortality for many Japanese people. The short blooming period of sakura is often compared to the fleeting nature of life. The flowers are beautiful and brilliant during their strongest bloom, but then it withers and becomes fragile when their time comes, similar to the human life cycle. It reminds people that life is both short and precious. 

Japan also starts its fiscal and school year in April, during the cherry blossom season. Sakura, in this case, is a symbol of good luck and hope in Japanese culture. 

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Sakura is the most obvious. Not only was Sakura the first tree I picked and I couldn’t get over the way it looked, but also it represents their love for one another. This is the book where they can finally be together. This is the book where they try and make everything as right as they can. They’re still learning and fucking up but they love each other and you can really see it here.

#fanfic bookbinding #avatar #zukka #erisenyo #I spent way too much time reserching trees #also I had to rewrite my reasons way too many times to the point where I started second guessing myself. #Was this really why? #We just don't know anymore