Celebrating the Children

May 5th is Children's Day here in Okinawa.  It used to be called Boys' Day, and there was a Girls' Day in early March.  However, Boys' Day is a public holiday here in Japan, and Girls' Day was not.  Therefore, the name has been changed to honor all children on May 5th.  Apparently this change happened way back in the late 1940's.

We found out about the celebration when we were driving along and saw these fish-shaped flags flying at many locations along our route.  Our guide told us that the flags are carp or koinobori.  Families fly a carp flag for every boy in the family.  Apparently there is a Chinese legend that carp swim upstream and eventually turn into dragons.  The flags symbolize strength.  The holiday is to celebrate the healthy growth and happiness of children.