What do cherry blossoms represent in Japanese tattoos?

In traditional Japanese tattoos, a cherry blossom tree or flower represents a reverence for life, the transience of being and sadness at the passing of things. However, the cherry blossom tattoo can have several other meanings.

In Chinese, a cherry blossom symbolizes feminine power and beauty. It is a sign of female dominance and the preservation of a woman's beauty in her natural state. In America, a tattoo of a cherry blossom flower most often symbolizes strength in dark times, such as when a loved one has fallen ill with cancer. This tattoo is most commonly seen in women's body art.