Korean National Flower: A Reminder of Your Own Hope and Strength

Unlike many flowers, the Korean national flower is tenacious. It reflects Korean culture’s enduring nature and the people’s determination and perseverance.

Image by Choe Yongwoo from Pixabay

South Korea’s worldwide influence is no joke these days. Yet, it was the other way around back then. Until 1953 which is surprisingly recent, this country's history is pervaded by oppression and struggles. 

At the end of the day, Korea overcomes all of those with resilience. And Korean national flower, Mugunghwa, is a perfect symbol of triumphs in general and Korean culture and its people particularly. The flower can thrive again regardless of extreme conditions, even when damaged.

Mugunghwa: At a glance

• Hangul: 무궁화
• Common name: Mugunghwa, Rose of Sharon, Rose Mallow, St. Joseph's Rod, or Syrian Ketmia
• Genus: Hibiscus
• Species: Syriacus
• Number of petals: 5
• Color: White, purple, pink, red
• The tree form: Upright and having a vase shape
• Blooming time: Early Jul to late Oct
• Purpose: Herbal and ornamental plant
• Symbolism: Strength, perseverance, unity

Korean national flower meaning

Mugunghwa flower's metaphorical sense arises from the Korean word Mugung that means 'limitless abundance' or 'eternity.' You will find a lot of state emblems of this country contain the Rose of Sharon. It is viewed by South Koreans as the Korean culture and people's traditional symbol.

For your information, people have used the English term 'Rose of Sharon' for many various flowers. But in Korea, it applies to the native Hibiscus syriacus.

A quick history lesson

This national flower in Korea first made its mark back in the Gojoseon Era, when it was considered 'a blossom from heaven.' King Dangun, a significant figure at that time, was rumored to have been the child of the son of Hwanin, the supreme deity and a bear that become a woman Ungnyeo. There were many Korean national flower drawings with the King, epitomizing its heavenly importance.

Since then, the plant has appeared in Korean history - for example, in the Silla Kingdom famous as the Country of Mugunghwa (aka Geunhwahyang), and in the Goryeo Dynasty when Mugunghwa's paper versions became a reward for exemplary civil servants.

Via

Despite its significance, the Mugunghwa could not legally become the South Korean national flower until the end of the Japanese colonization era from 1910 to 1945. The reason was that expression freedom outside of Japanese culture was suppressed and Koreans were unprotected against terrible acts of mortification and labor. 

To protest their oppression, Korean citizens grew a multitude of the flowers as a token of their desire for independence. After Korean Independence, the Rose of Sharon became the Korean national flower.

This flower can fade until it appears to be going to die. Then, swiftly, it comes back to full bloom and irresistible beauty - a representation of Koreans' striving for ultimate freedom during that period. 

The Korean country flower found featured everywhere in Korea

Today, the country has gained worldwide recognization as an emerging leader in pop culture, entertainment, electronics, and skincare. The Mugunghwa keeps being a constant reminder that such an achievement and positive outcomes resulted from courage, hard work, and resilience. 

Hence, you can notice people here grow the flower wild everywhere. It appears on the coin, every police station, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance logo, the lawmaker’s badge, tattoo, among others. This Korean state flower also has an honorable mention in the National Anthem:

무궁화 삼천리 화려강산 대한사람, 대한으로 길이 보전하세.
(Roses of Sharon and three thousand Ri full of splendid mountains and rivers; Great Koreans, to the Great Korean way, always stay true.)

Further, it is work addressing that instead of being rated via the star system, hotels in the country get 5 Roses-of-Sharon ratings. The flower names a kind of train service in Korea as well. It is 무궁화호 (Mughunghwa-ho) known as the most reasonably priced train service and serves every man jack in South Korea.

Image by 유봉, Yubong 정, Jenog from Pixabay

Aside from seeing the Korean national flower all over public buildings, it is made into favorite tea and is loved as a medicinal curative to decrease blood pressure, cool your body, protect the skin, and deliver anti-inflammatory effects. 

The real-life uses aside, Mugunghwar is named in the Korean version of the game Red Light, Green Light. Here, people called the game 무궁화 꽃이 피었습니다 (The Rose of Sharon has Bloomed). While nobody has an idea of quite how long Korean kids have been engaging in it, this game has been addressed in pretty old literature. It is so mainstream and plays a big role in the country's culture that celebrities are into playing the game on variety shows such as 아빠! 어디가? (Dad! Where Are We Going?), One Dream.TXT, and 런닝맨 (Running Man). 

Final words

Mugunghwa is a hardy shrub whose blooms are ever-bright. It is not only the Korean national flower. Also an emblem of their perseverance and longevity regardless of overwhelming challenges. Beyond its pure beauty, Mugunghwa serves as a reminder of strength and hope. The next time you see this flower during your Korea travel or anywhere in this big big world, hopefully, it reminds you of your own strength.