Nagashi Bina literally means “doll floating”. It is a ritual where paper or straw hina dolls are placed on small boats or straw rafts and then set afloat on rivers or streams to symbolize the purification of young girls and to ward off misfortune. This practice is rooted in the belief that the dolls carry away negative energy and misfortunes, allowing for a fresh start. This traditional doll-making practice is associated with the Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival or Girls' Day), celebrated on March 3rd. While Nagashi Bina is less common today, it remains an important part of Japanese cultural heritage.