Home > Overseas Koreans Infor > Korean Symbols > The Rose of Sharon
Overview
Koreans have loved the rose of Sharon for
centuries. As such it was a logical choice for Korea's national flower.
According to records, Koreans have treasured the rose of Sharon as
a heavenly flower since ancient times. In fact, the Silla Kingdom
called itself Mugunghwa Country. Even the ancient Chinese referred
to Korea as "The land of gentlemen where Mugunghwa blooms."
Love for the flower was further heightened when Mugunghwa samcheolli
hwaryeo gangsan" ("Rose of Sharon, thousand miles of beautiful
mountain and river land!") was written into the national anthem
of the late 19th century. As the rose of Sharon has been an important
part of the Korean culture for centuries, it was only natural that
the government adopted it as the national flower after Korea was liberated
from Japanese colonial rule.
Overview
