A while ago I decided to make a series on how well MiHoYo researched the real world regions it used to inspire its Genshin ones. From what I found Genshin's Germany was pretty well done. But I didn't really go into depth about the holidays. As far as I can tell nobody really knows what Windblume is with relation to Mondstadt's real world counterpart.
In the early days there was confusion between it and Ludi Harpastum which is still likely to be related to Oktoberfest. (if we ever get to it)
Some ideas say it is based on Valentine's Day because of the theme of couples and flowers.
But I think I've found a much better match and it even reaches deeper into Mondstadt's historical German inspiration.
Rosenmontag is German for Rose Monday so you can already notice the flower theme. It takes place in early spring just like Windblume did. But wait there's more.
What is celebrated during Windblume? Windblumes don't actually exist. It was an idea of the people in Old Mondstadt of some kind of plant that could withstand the winds and cold they were subjected to thanks to Andrius and Decarabian's battle. When the people decided to rebel against Decarabian Windblume became a codeword they'd use for their operations against the tyrant. Similarly Rosenmontag does mean Rose Monday but you can also interpret rosen to mean frolic so you could say the "rose" doesn't actually exist.
Anyway what is celebrated on Rosenmontag? In the old days Germany was just like Old Mondstadt. It also had a different name - Prussia - which was an absolute monarchy that suppressed the personal freedoms of its people. But then Napolean began his conquests including turning Prussia into one of its satellite states. By 1815 though Prussia reorganized and allied with other states to form the German Confederation winning back their territories from Napolean. Part of this reorganization was the freeing of peasants from service and allowing Jews to actually become citizens. (super progressive in old timey Europe) Some of the reclaimed land was the Rhine where in 1823 it celebrated its first Rosenmontag!
And how are these holidays celebrated? Traditional Windblume is all about freedom and rebellion against tyranny. Similarly Rosenmontag is a day where the slaves become the masters. And also running parallel to each other this traditional ideal has evolved for modern times.
"Today, the rebellion of ordinary mortals against tyranny has long been consigned to festive jests," -Windblume Ode
Today's Rosenmontag is celebrated with parades and floats mocking politics and politicians. There's tons of small acts against authority including cutting people's ties, singing songs to laugh at officials, men dressing up as nagging mothers and o I don't know
other colorful things
That's a little more extreme than what we saw in Windblume but the lighthearted nature is still there. I mean we did get a scene of Kaeya pretty much threatening the city's God.
On the other hand Rosenmontag is one of those holidays where everything is closed similar to how everybody has to take care of themselves and you're not allowed to ask people to do things for you during Windblume.
And on top of all of that Windblume is dedicated to the Anemo Archon which is also the the basis of the official religion in Mondstadt. Obviously Germany is a Christian country and Rosenmontag is actually part of the group of spring holidays in Christianity leading up to Lent.
Finally I brought up the Rhine for a specific reason. (no not that one.... although....) I brought up the Rhine because one of the cities in that region is Cologne. You know this Cologne. I'm not saying Cologne is literally Mondstadt because it's definitely not but it's cool to link the two cities in more ways.
Side note: Wait I hear you ask. 1823? That's nowhere near Medieval Germany! That's true but this works with Cologne too. Remember from my Genshin Germany that Cologne Cathedral was only completed to the look it has today in the 1800s but it was first constructed during the 1200s. According to some people the Christian holidays that Rosenmontag belongs to called Karneval might have started as early as Rome so you could count it like that. Or a more interesting take would be that while Mondstadt looks like a medieval period the society was pushed forward thanks to Venti. After all without him Mondstadt would likely still be ruled by the Lawrence Clan.
What do you guys think? Does this look like a good origin for Genshin's Windblume? And if you are German how do you celebrate this holiday?
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