WRITER : FAVOUR EMMANUEL
EDITOR : SHIVRAJ PATEL
South Korea’s national flower, the Mugunghwa (무궁화), gets another name: the “Rose of Sharon”. But it’s way more than just a pretty flower. The name Mugunghwa, comes from the word “mugung”, which Koreans use to express the idea of ‘eternity’ or ‘lots and lots of abundance”. If you think about it, this meaning really shows the strong spirit of the Korean people, who’ve been through a lot over the years – like tough times, being taken over by other countries, war, and then changing super-fast.
Picture Credit: South Korea – World Sensorium / Conservancy
Let’s Talk Flowers
If you want to get technical, the Mugunghwa is a kind of shrub that loses its leaves in the fall. Scientists call it Hibiscus syriacus. You can find it growing all over East Asia. People like it because it has these cool, trumpet-shaped flowers that come in pink, violet, and white. These flowers usually bloom from July to October. During those months, you can see them all over Korea.
Even though they look delicate, Mugunghwa flowers are super tough. They can handle bad weather, pollution, and even poor soil. You could say they’re a good example of how strong and determined Korea is.
A History of Meaning
The Mugunghwa has been important to Korean culture for a long time – over 1,400 years! You can spot it in old Korean books, paintings, and stories from way back in the Goguryeob and Silla kingdoms. In poems and songs, it often stood for how proud people were of their country and how long they hoped it would last.
When Japan took over Korea (from 1910 to 1945), the Mugunghwa became even more meaningful. During this period, Koreans were at risk of losing their identity. The flower became a quiet but bold symbol of standing up for their country and staying united. Koreans looked at the Mugunghwa as a reminder that their culture and spirit would make it through, no matter what.
When Korea got its freedom back and became the Republic of Korea, they made the Mugunghwa the official national flower. Now, you can find it on government signs, money, passports, and even the president’s special seal.
What it Means to be Korean
The Mugunghwa stands for the tough and resilient spirit of the Korean people. Just like the flower can bloom again and again, even when the weather is bad, Koreans have shown they can handle anything – like being invaded, split up as a country, or going through hard economic times.
The meaning of its name, a flower that blooms forever, is really powerful. It represents what South Korea values: staying strong, being reborn, and having hope. At important events, the Mugunghwa helps remind everyone how patriotic they are and what they remember together.
Kids learn about the Mugunghwa from when they are very young. It’s even in a well-known Korean children’s song:
‘Mugunghwa samcheolli, Hwaryeohan gangsan’ – which means, “The Rose of Sharon, three thousand ‘li’ (Korean miles), the beautiful land’.
The Flower Today
These days, you can see the Mugunghwa all over South Korea. People plant it in parks, near government offices, at schools, and even in their yards. On August 15th every year, which is Korea’s National Liberation Day, the Mugunghwa gets shown off to celebrate independence and to remember all the people who fought for it.
Some younger people might think of it as old-fashioned, but the flower still stands for what connects modern Korea to its past. In recent years, there have been efforts to bring the Mugunghwa back into everyday life, like in fashion, design, and advertising as ways to get people feeling proud of their country.
The Mugunghwa in Symbols and Places
The Mugunghwa is also a big part of official symbols:
– Presidential Seal: The South Korean president’s seal has a *Mugunghwa* around the phoenix.
– Military and Police: You can see it on military badges and police symbols. It represents doing your duty and being loyal.
– Government Papers: Passports and other documents have *Mugunghwa* designs on them.
The flower isn’t just a symbol; it’s a key piece of South Korea’s official look.
The Mugunghwa is more than just South Korea’s national flower. It’s a symbol of how strong the country is, its long history, and its hopeful future. It tells the story of people who, just like the flower, keep on blooming, no matter how hard things get.
Even though society changes so quickly, the Mugunghwa reminds us of the things that have helped Korea get through the years: being strong, finding beauty, and keeping its spirit alive. Whether you see it blowing in the summer or on an official seal, the Mugunghwa connects every Korean to their shared history and their love for their country.
Share it with your Family & Friends :