Staying in Korea, one needs to understand how their system works, from their language to their lifestyle, to work ethics in Korea, things one should do and not do in Korea, down to their culture, interests, and even as small as their flowers. This article will highlight the last listed point, which is flowers in Korea and their meaning. Several Korean flowers signify different things to them, and getting to know these flowers and their meaning while in Korea is very paramount. Someone may give you a flower, or you may want to give someone a flower; however, choosing the right flower to send to someone can only be done correctly if you understand the meaning of the flower you wish to send or have just received. Flowers can be used to express emotions, such as love, joy, sadness, condolence, grief, disappointment, and so on. Whatever the case may be, there is always a flower that can send the words to the receiver's heart. You can wish someone well simply by sending a bouquet to express your good luck wishes, but this can only be done correctly if one fully understands the meaning of flowers in Korea, especially for someone who has recently relocated to the country.
Top 5 Flower Shops for Same Day Delivery in Korea
1. Hibiscus Syriacus 무궁화
The Mugunghhwa flower could be regarded as the national blossom of South Korea. The blossom of the Hibiscus Syriacus can be linked to Korea poetically, as the flower signifies eternal life. The flower is known to have its peak blossom in July, with various varieties of it blooming in spring and autumn. This means that there is always a Hibiscus Syriacus flower, also known as the Rose of Sharon, blooming anytime in Korea.
2. Plum Blossom 매화
Photo Credits: Flickr
Plum blossom, known as Prunus mume in Korea, is very popular for depicting the start of the spring season in Korea. The blossom is always either pink or white and normally sprouts on the branches of plum or apricot trees that were originally from China before becoming known in Korea. They are usually used in the production of the infamous Korean plum wine. These flowers represent perseverance due to the fact that they are able to bloom despite the cold winter. They also signify renewal, purity, and hope because they are seen as the first flowers to bloom in the new year.
3. Lilies 백합
Photo Credits: Saskatoon Flowers
백합 (baekhab) can be found all over Korea; they are not unique to Korea, but the flower holds a special meaning for the country. Lilies in Korea signify "Purity of the Heart". There are white and yellow lilies, while the white lilies signify innocence and sweetness, and the yellow ones signify gratitude. So, when in Korea and you wish to show appreciation to someone, a bouquet of yellow lilies can be an amazing idea. These flowers are also thought to be very sacred and pure. They are often used during funerals and marriage ceremonies.
4. Golden Bell Tree 개나리
Photo Credits: Eol
개나리 (Gaenari) is another flower that signifies springtime in Korea. They are always yellow and blossom at the beginning of spring to beautify the entire country with their color. They are always known to grow on the ground of a deciduous tree. They typically bloom from the end of March until the beginning of May. It is known as the "messenger of spring" since it announces the arrival of spring.
5. Magnolia Korean Flowers 목련
Photo Credits: Explored Park
This Korean flower is one that anyone residing or visiting Korea should know about. The flower, which signifies aristocracy, also signifies womanhood as well as dignity. The flower is seen everywhere in Seoul, Korea, and even in universities in the country. The Magnolia flower is white with a yellow color at the center.
6. Azalea - 진달래
Photo Credits: Haps Korea
While the famous Korean Plum Blossom (Prunus mume) signifies the start of springtime, the Azalea shows the peak of springtime. It blooms for weeks and is mainly found in its pink-purple color on the hills in Korea, giving an amazing beauty to the country. It signifies first love. It can also signify the femininity of a woman who is pregnant or the love of a mother. Thus they are often used as gifts for pregnant women. There is a poem that is based on these flowers and is quite popular in Korea.
7. Cherry Blossom 벚꽃
벚꽃 (beotkkot) signifies purity and beauty. It also shows the end of winter in the country. You will begin to see cherry blossoms in Korea once the winter is over, with their beautiful scent and lovely pink-hued color. Korea is known for a lot of festivals, and they celebrate a festival yearly to celebrate the bloom of these native flowers. One who has an interest in seeing the cherry blossom in mass should always consider going to one of the festivals where it will be displayed in its full glory in the country’s capital, Seoul, Jeju, or even Jeolla.
8. Daffodil Korean Flower 수선화
The famous Korean 수선화 (suseonhwa) daffodil flower signifies truth, sincerity, and mercy. They are found blooming during the springtime, not minding the changes in the winter season. They can be used to express gratitude or even forgiveness to someone.
9. Sunflower 해바라기
해바라기 (haebaragi) could signify adoration, loyalty, and longevity. In Korea, the ability of a sunflower to stand on its petals is regarded as a sign of spiritual attainment. can be the perfect gift for someone relocating to a new place, starting a new job, or who has bought a new car or property.
10. Peony 모란 꽃
Due to its bright color and massive blooms, the Korean peony is regarded as the "King" among all other flowers. It is used to signify a happy marriage and is also used as a royalty symbol. During the Goryeo and early-to-mid Joseon dynasties, these flowers were frequently used in paintings, alongside birds of the air and other kinds of plants. They have a short season of bloom as they come into bloom from the early part of May until late June.
11. Chrysanthemum 국화
This flower is a perfect gift for people born in November. They are one of the most common flowers one can find in Korea and even in any part of the world. The flower signifies friendship. They are known to be the last gang in the lot to bloom. They bloom in September and into early December, depending on the variety. This flower symbolizes joy, perfection, and optimism.
12. Carnation Korean Flower 카네이션
The flower represents fascination, love, and perfection. It has a pink bloom, a yellow bloom, a white bloom, as well as a red bloom. They both signify different things. The pink bloom signifies love, the red bloom simply says "I love you," and the white carnation shows true love, while the yellow carnations depict rejection and disappointment. Carnations are a common gift to give to parents and teachers during Parent’s Day and Teacher’s Day respectively.
13. Tulip - 튤립
튤립 (thyullib) depicts irresistible love in Korea, so when looking for the perfect flower to send to someone you love in Korea, you can add a tulip to the bouquet or send it alone as a sign or expression of love towards them.
14. Hydrangea
Photo Credits: Korea Travel Post
The Hydrangea flower is to send one gratitude for understanding a situation. It also shows gratitude for other deep and sincere emotions. The Hydrangea flower gets its name from the Greek words "Hydor" and "Mangos," which mean water and vessel, respectively.
Knowing these flowers and what they represent allows you to understand the message that someone is attempting to convey when they send you a bouquet in Korea, as well as make good choices of the type of bouquet to send to someone in any situation or point in time, to express love, affection, condolence, or even disappointment towards someone.
15. Korean Orchid난
The Korean orchid is a very important flower in Korean culture. Thus, their usage in literary works like poems and artworks has been quite frequent. It can be found planted around most Korean homes. It also constitutes the largest number of potted plants. This flower signifies sensuality and raw passion. Their rich and vibrant colors make them a favorite with Koreans. These features are enhanced due to the temperate climate of Korea. With the innovation of greenhouses, this flower can be cultivated all year round.
16. Resurrection Plant생사초
The resurrection plant is a purple flower that is rare and believed to have the power to resurrect dead people. There is a dark story behind this flower. It is believed that any person who gets resurrected by this flower is bound to become a monster who is mindless and insatiably thirsty for blood. It was used in the movie Kingdom, where it brings about a plague that transforms people into zombies.
