The Captivating Climber: A Symbol of Resilience, Happiness, and Luck.

The Legend of the Tam Xuan Flower

In a distant forest, two orphaned siblings lived and depended on each other after their parents’ early demise. The older brother, especially, had immense love and care for his younger sister.

Each day, the brother ventured into the forest to gather firewood, berries, and edible plants, while his sister tended to their humble home and prepared meals for their return.

As they grew older, the brother ventured deeper into the forest, hunting wild animals, while his sister continued to manage their home front.

The younger sister possessed a unique ability to communicate with birds and beasts, and she had a melodious and enchanting singing voice.

One fateful day, a wicked demon, enchanted by her voice, disguised himself as an old woman to lure her into the forest. Fear gripped the young girl, and she lost her ability to sing. Enraged, the demon caged her, and in her desperate attempts to escape, she scratched her hands, drawing blood.

Upon returning home, the brother found his sister missing. Guided by the birds, he reached the place where his sister was held captive, only to find vibrant rose petals instead.

The Significance of the Tam Xuan Flower

The Tam Xuan flower symbolizes the strong bond of sibling love and support, enduring through life’s challenges and hardships.

Blooming only once a year, during spring, the Tam Xuan flower is often displayed on important occasions, symbolizing family reunion and happiness.

Characteristics of the Tam Xuan Flower

The Tam Xuan flower, scientifically known as Rosa canina, is a species of wild rose native to Europe, West Asia, and Northwest Africa. It is also called by other names such as Thich Hoa, Nguu Cuoc, Thap Ti Muoi, and Da Tuong Vi in Vietnamese.

Tam Xuan is a climbing rose with similarities to traditional roses, but its petals are thinner, and the plant grows in dense bushes, climbing to great heights.

Uniquely, the Tam Xuan flower blooms only once a year, during spring, from February to April. The plant bears orange-red fruits, approximately 1.5-2 cm in size, when ripe.

Tam Xuan thrives in sunny locations with a cool climate, preferably between 15-20 degrees Celsius. It is easy to cultivate and resistant to pests and diseases, making it a popular choice for decorative gardening, balconies, and fences.

The flowers come in various colors, including green, purple, and pink. The leaves are pinnate with 5-7 small leaflets, and the flowers have five thin petals, grow in clusters, and exude a pleasant fragrance. The petals change color as they mature, starting as pale pink, turning to deep pink, and finally, white before they wither.

Are Tam Xuan Flowers the Same as Buds?

It is important to distinguish between Tam Xuan flowers and buds, as they are entirely different. Tam Xuan flowers have delicate petals resembling peonies, with yellow stamens, while the buds are round, colorful bumps that appear in clusters on branches and are commonly displayed during the Tet holiday.