Japan
Japan
Japan. Land of the rising sun. A loose translation of the name given to the land by the locals - Nihon, or Day Origin. The sun has great significance in Japanese culture. Since Japan's Eastern coast faces the rising sun, the view can be spectacular. Amaterasu Omikami, "Great Divinity Illuminating Heaven", is the Shinto celestial sun goddess. The Japanese Imperial family is descended from this deity. The flag in common use today is the Hinomaru, "Circle of the Sun", a red circle on a white background. There is also a second flag, the Rising Sun flag, with red rays emanating from the circle in the center. This was and to some degree still is the flag of the Imperial forces, and as such is associated with various attrocities committed up to the end of World War II. It is considered offensive by some countries.
Anyhow, I'm done with Siberia. Let's get some sun!