Korea’s national flower
Here’s this week’s tip on Korean language and customs:Q:
According to Korean custom, special occasions are celebrated by giving orchid blossoms. In the springtime, streets and highways in Korea are lined with pink jindallae (azalea) and yellow gaenari (golden bells). Korean artists rave about the beauty of Korean pine trees in private gardens and on mountainsides.
I assumed that one of these plants was a national symbol until I learned that the official national flower for Korea is the rose of sharon. Is there any special reason?
A:
Mugunghwa, or the rose of sharon (hibiscus syriacus), is native to the Korean Peninsula.
Several important ancient records describe that since the birth of Korea’s ancient dynasty, the land was covered with mugunghwa blossoms throughout the year except for winter.
To Koreans, mugunghwa, which literally means the flower of prosperity, thus symbolizes the infinite cycle of life. So naturally the rose of sharon represented Korea and her spirit. But it wasn’t until the late Joseon Dynasty when mugunghwa was officially designated as Korea’s national flower.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)