Thailand’s national flower offers not only beauty but also serves as a symbol representing the nation’s identity. Thailand and other ASEAN countries each have national flowers with meanings of flowers and cultural significance, reflecting their unique histories and beliefs.
BASKETEER flower shop deeply understands the meaning of flowers across different cultures. With this understanding, we’d like to present interesting stories about Thailand’s national flower and those of ASEAN countries, allowing you to experience their beauty and hidden meanings.
Table of Contents
- Thailand’s National Flower: The History of Ratchaphruek
- Ratchaphruek: Connection with Thai Culture and Way of Life
- National Flowers of 10 ASEAN Member Countries
- Conclusion
Thailand’s National Flower: The History of Ratchaphruek
Thailand’s national flower is the Ratchaphruek (Golden Shower Tree). This plant has different local names across regions—in Northeastern Thailand it’s called “Khoon,” in the North “Lom Laeng,” and in Karen language “Lak Kluea” and “Lak Khoei.” Ratchaphruek is a native tree found throughout all regions of Thailand. Regarding its selection as a national symbol, it was first proposed in 1963 and was officially announced on October 26, 2001.
Ratchaphruek is a medium-sized tree, approximately 5-15 meters tall with smooth bark in light gray or grayish-brown. Its leaves are pinnately compound and arranged alternately with about 4-12 pairs of leaflets. The flowers are bright yellow, blooming in beautiful hanging clusters that make the Ratchaphruek tree particularly striking when it flowers during the summer season.
Reasons and Official Declaration as the National Flower
The National Identity Committee established three national symbols for Thailand: the Thai elephant as the national animal, Ratchaphruek as the national flower, and the Thai pavilion as the national architecture. Ratchaphruek was chosen as the national flower for several reasons:
- It is a native tree found throughout all regions of Thailand, representing national unity
- Its beautiful yellow flowers match the birth day color of King Rama IX and yellow also symbolizes Buddhism
- It is an auspicious tree traditionally planted by Thai people and has historical connections to important Thai traditions
- It is strong and long-lasting, offering many practical benefits
Additionally, Ratchaphruek is the flower of the Songkran festival because it blooms beautifully during March-April, coinciding perfectly with the festival.
Ratchaphruek: Connection with Thai Culture and Way of Life
Ratchaphruek is not only Thailand’s national flower but also deeply connected to Thai culture and way of life, especially in beliefs and traditions.
Ratchaphruek is considered an auspicious tree used in important ceremonies, such as using its wood for city pillars, field marshal batons, and military victory flagpoles. It’s also replicated on the epaulets of civil servants and used in house foundation pillar-raising ceremonies.
There’s a belief among Thai people that planting a Ratchaphruek tree in the southwest direction of a house will make family members multiply and prosper, which aligns with another name “Khoon” meaning multiplication or increase.
During the Songkran festival, Ratchaphruek flowers symbolize refreshment and new beginnings, corresponding with the Thai New Year celebration that marks the beginning of a new era.
National Flowers of 10 ASEAN Member Countries
Besides Thailand’s national flower, all 10 ASEAN countries have their own national flowers with beauty and unique characteristics, reflecting the culture, beliefs, and way of life of people in each country.
1. Simpor Flower (Dillenia): National Flower of Brunei Darussalam
Brunei’s national flower is the Simpor Flower (Dillenia), a native Bruneian flower with large yellow petals that resemble an umbrella when fully bloomed. It can be found along rivers throughout Brunei.
The Simpor flower is important to Bruneian culture, appearing on the country’s 1 dollar banknote and commonly used in folk art patterns. It also has medicinal properties that help in healing wounds.
2. Lamduan Flower: National Flower of Cambodia
Cambodia’s national flower is the Lamduan Flower, with cream-white petals (pale yellowish) that are thick and relatively firm. It has a cool, pleasant fragrance that becomes stronger at night.
Cambodians consider Lamduan an auspicious flower symbolizing freshness and fragrance, associated with femininity. There’s a belief that Lamduan trees should be planted in the northwest direction of the house, preferably on Wednesdays for good fortune. This flower has unique characteristics and distinctive beauty.
3. Moon Orchid: National Flower of Indonesia
Indonesia’s national flower is the Moon Orchid, one of the longest-blooming orchids. Its flower stalks can branch out and last for 2-6 months, flowering only 2-3 times per year.
The Moon Orchid is a special orchid species that thrives in hot, humid climates typical of Indonesia, making it common in the country’s lowland areas. The beauty of the Moon Orchid makes it a fitting national flower for a country with such natural diversity as Indonesia.
4. Dok Champa (Frangipani): National Flower of Laos
The national flower of Laos is Dok Champa, known in Thailand as Frangipani or Plumeria. Dok Champa comes in various colors, not limited to white but also pink, yellow, red, or various soft tones.
Laotians consider Frangipani a symbol of freshness, sincerity, and happiness. Therefore, they use this flower in all kinds of auspicious events, including ordination ceremonies, weddings, merit-making ceremonies, as well as making garlands for offering to monks and welcoming guests.
5. Bunga Raya (Hibiscus): National Flower of Malaysia
Malaysia’s national flower is Bunga Raya or Hibiscus, a bright red flower with five petals and a central stamen.
Bunga Raya is a small perennial plant about 1 meter tall. Malaysians believe it symbolizes strength, national unity, dignity, and grace. Bunga Raya was designated as a national symbol of Malaysia to promote national cohesion and perseverance. It also has medicinal and beauty applications.
6. Padauk Flower: National Flower of Myanmar
Myanmar’s national flower is the Padauk Flower, a beautiful golden-yellow blossom found abundantly in both Myanmar and Thailand. It’s a fragrant flower that begins to bloom with the onset of the rainy season.
Myanmar people consider the Padauk’s blooming at the beginning of the rainy season as a good sign for an agricultural country. It has cultural significance in Myanmar, used for celebrations during their New Year festival and other auspicious occasions. It’s also used as an offering to Buddha and in important religious ceremonies.
7. Sampaguita (Arabian Jasmine): National Flower of the Philippines
The Philippines’ national flower is Sampaguita or Arabian Jasmine, pure white with star-shaped petals and a refreshing fragrance that’s especially noticeable at night.
Sampaguita holds importance in Filipino culture as a symbol of purity, hope, and simple beauty. Filipinos use Sampaguita flowers in wedding ceremonies and funerals because of their captivating fragrance and the flower’s deep meaning.
8. Vanda Miss Joaquim Orchid: National Flower of Singapore
Singapore’s national flower is the Vanda Miss Joaquim Orchid, with bright purple-red coloration that can bloom beautifully year-round.
The name Vanda Miss Joaquim comes from Miss Agnes Joaquim, who successfully hybridized this Vanda orchid species. Vanda Miss Joaquim was declared Singapore’s national flower in 1981, representing Singapore’s ability to blend cultures and develop innovations.
9. Lotus Flower: National Flower of Vietnam
Vietnam’s national flower is the Lotus. Vietnamese people believe it symbolizes purity, love, attachment, and optimism, as well as representing dawn because lotus flowers open with the sunlight, signifying the beginning of a bright day.
The lotus appears frequently in Vietnamese folk songs and poems. Though not exclusive to Vietnam and commonly found throughout ASEAN countries, the lotus’s significance in Vietnamese culture makes it an appropriate symbol for the country.
10. Rose: National Flower of Timor-Leste
Timor-Leste’s national flower is the Rose. The country gained full independence on May 20, 2002, and is the newest member of ASEAN.
When Timor-Leste joined the United Nations, it was agreed that the country would be officially called Timor-Leste, which is its Portuguese name. The choice of the rose as the national flower shows the influence of Portuguese culture, which ruled this territory for a long time. The rose symbolizes love, beauty, and hope for the future of this developing nation.
Conclusion
Thailand’s national flower and those of all 10 ASEAN countries possess beauty and profound meanings that effectively represent the culture, beliefs, and identity of each country. The Ratchaphruek symbolizes Thainess, elegance, and connection with Buddhism, while the national flowers of other ASEAN countries have meanings that align with their respective ways of life and cultures.
The diversity of national flowers in the ASEAN region also demonstrates the harmonious differences among member countries which, despite cultural diversity, are connected geographically and through international cooperation.
After learning about Thailand’s national flower and those of each country, we can see that flowers are not merely beautiful objects but also mediums that vividly tell stories, history, and culture of each nation. Learning and understanding the language of flowers and national flowers is another way to help us better understand our neighbors in the ASEAN region.
