Hishi mochi
Template:Short description Template:Italic title Template:Infobox prepared foodScript error: No such module "Nihongo". is a symbolic Japanese sweet associated with the Hinamatsuri "Girl's Day" festival, which coincides with the calendar date for Xiuxi Script error: No such module "Lang".. The sweet is diamond shaped and typically formed from three layers of red (pink), white, and green mochi, from top to bottom.[1][2] Depending on region, red may be substituted for yellow, or the sweet may have 5 or 7 layers instead. It is usually presented with hina dolls.
The shape is believed to have originated in the Edo period, and to be a representation of fertility.
Colors
The red of the mochi are derived from fruits of Gardenia jasminoides (Script error: No such module "Lang".), and is symbolic of peach flowers. The white is made from the Script error: No such module "Nihongo"., and represents the snow and its cleansing effects. Finally, the green is from Gnaphalium affine (Script error: No such module "Lang".) or mugwort[3] like kusa mochi, and is believed to be a restorative that improves the blood.[1]