'Hinamatsuri', 'the Girls' Festival' or 'the Doll's Festival,' is celebrated on March 3rd in Japan. It is also called 'Momo no Sekku', which means 'Peach Blossom Festival.' It is an occasion to pray for young girls' growth and happiness.
There are several views as to the origin of this event. However, according to tradition, it began with an ancient custom to make an offering and to perform a purification ceremony, which came to be established as annual events around mid-8th century of the Heian period (794-1185/1192). These events took place on odd-numbered days of months of the same numbers: Jôshi on March 3, Tango on May 5, Tanabata on July 7, and so on.
Hina dolls, which are displayed on Hina-matsuri (Girls' Day) of March 3, have their origins in the ancient practice of playing with dolls, popular among the girls of the nobility. Then this practice became widespread within the families of the Bushi or Samurai (warriors) class. Eventually it has been quite common in the present day.
It was believed that peach was an auspicious and lucky wood, having a power to repel evils. This is why Hina-matsuri (Girls' Day) came to be called Momo-no-sekkku (Peach Festival), an annual event in spring when peach trees are in blossom.
Although we have been in spring since February 4th according to the traditional lunar calendar, we still have cold days lately.