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Doll Festival, Girls' Day
A Japanese festival held on March 3 to pray for the health and happiness of girls. Families display ornamental dolls and celebrate with special foods.
ひな祭りは三月三日だ。
Girls' Day is on March 3.
Writing
Also written as 雛祭り or 雛祭り. The kanji 雛 means "chick" or "small doll."
Cultural note
Also known as 桃の節句 (Peach Blossom Festival). Families with daughters display a set of ornamental dolls (雛人形) representing the Emperor, Empress, and their court on a tiered platform. Traditional foods include ちらし寿司, 菱餅 (diamond-shaped rice cakes), ひなあられ (sweet rice crackers), and 白酒 (sweet white sake).
Superstition
It is widely believed that leaving the dolls out after March 3 will delay the daughter's marriage.