The Korean National The Korean National FlowerFlower

MugunghwaMugunghwa

National Korean Studies SeminarNational Korean Studies SeminarCopyright 2014

Sung Kim and Mary Connor

Bringing Korea to the K-12 ClassroomsBringing Korea to the K-12 Classrooms

The Korean National FlowerThe Korean National FlowerMugunghwaMugunghwa

The national flower of Korea is The national flower of Korea is MMugunghwa, ugunghwa, RRose of ose of SSharon (also known as Hibiscus).haron (also known as Hibiscus).

Mugunghwa FactsMugunghwa Facts1.1. The flower’s symbolic significance stems from The flower’s symbolic significance stems from

the Korean word mugung, meaning the Korean word mugung, meaning immortality.immortality.

2.2. This word accurately reflects the enduring This word accurately reflects the enduring nature of Korean culture, and the nature of Korean culture, and the determination and perseverance of the Korean determination and perseverance of the Korean people. people.

3.3. Every year from July to October, a profusion of Every year from July to October, a profusion of MMugunghwa blossoms graces the entire ugunghwa blossoms graces the entire country. country.

Mugunghwa FactsMugunghwa Facts1.1. Botanical name Botanical name

- Hibiscus Syriacus L. - Hibiscus Syriacus L. 2.2. DistributionDistribution

- China, northern India, Japan, and Korea - China, northern India, Japan, and Korea 3.3. VarietiesVarieties

- About 200 cultivars, of which 100 cultivars are - About 200 cultivars, of which 100 cultivars are indigenous to Korea. Of these, the government indigenous to Korea. Of these, the government designated the Tashim, single types of flowers, as designated the Tashim, single types of flowers, as the national flower in 1990. the national flower in 1990.

4.4. Flowering seasonFlowering season- From early July to late October (about 100 days)- From early July to late October (about 100 days)

Various typesVarious types1.1. MMore than 100 ore than 100 typestypes of the rose of Sharon of the rose of Sharon are grown inare grown in

Korea. Korea. 2.2. There are single, semi-double, and double types of There are single, semi-double, and double types of

flowers. flowers. 3.3. Depending on the colors of flower, they are divided into 3 Depending on the colors of flower, they are divided into 3

groupgroups:s: 1) 1) Tanshim(flower with red center), Tanshim(flower with red center), 2) 2) Paedal (Pure white flower), Paedal (Pure white flower), 3)3) Asadal(pink dots on the edges of the petals). Asadal(pink dots on the edges of the petals). 4. 4. The Tanshim, single types of flowers, serves as Korea's The Tanshim, single types of flowers, serves as Korea's

national flower. national flower.

Various typesVarious types

Various typesVarious types

Flowering SeasonFlowering Season1.1. MugunghwaMugunghwa blooms blooms

every day from early every day from early July through late July through late October. October.

2.2. Some Some bloom bloom 2,000 to 2,000 to 3,000 3,000 flowersflowers on a on a single plantsingle plant. .

3.3. It isIt is strong enough to strong enough to survive even when it is survive even when it is transplanted or cut for transplanted or cut for decoration or flower decoration or flower arrangements. arrangements.

Symbol of GloriesSymbol of Glories1.1. Koreans cherish and care for Koreans cherish and care for

the national flower as it the national flower as it symbolizes the many glories symbolizes the many glories the country has experienced the country has experienced and the trials and tribulations and the trials and tribulations the people have overcome.the people have overcome.

2.2. Thus, the flower represents Thus, the flower represents the wish for lasting national the wish for lasting national development and prosperity.development and prosperity.

The Korean National The Korean National SymbolSymbol

The national symbol combines the Taekguk symbol and the Rose of Sharon surrounding it.

ReferencesReferences http://english.tour2korea.com/01TripPlan

ner/KoreaInBrief/na_symbols.asp?kosm=m1_1&konum=2

http://www.opm.go.kr/warp/webapp/content/view?meta_id=english&id=23