Hibiscus: A Flower of Sacred Significance and Cultural Importance
Hibiscus: A Flower with Sacred Meanings in Various Regions
Hibiscus, or rose mallow, belongs to the Malvaceae family and originates from Southeast Asia. This flower comes in different shapes and colors, with the red and yellow varieties being the most common in Vietnam. Hibiscus is a woody shrub with serrated leaves, and both its leaves and flowers produce a mucilaginous substance.
Hibiscus: A Beautiful and Sacred Flower in Many Cultures
In China, hibiscus is seen as a symbol of female beauty and elegance. Meanwhile, in North America, the flower represents the ideal wife or woman. Korea has also chosen a particular variety of hibiscus, called Mugung, as its national flower.
Hibiscus is also the national flower of Malaysia, and the Hibiscus Brackenridgei variety is considered a symbol of Hawaii. In these cultures, the flower is believed to bring good fortune, happiness, and prosperity, often associated with childhood memories and innocence.
Hibiscus: A Medicinal Plant with Multiple Health Benefits
Hibiscus is not just a wildflower, but also a culinary herb and medicinal plant. The entire plant, including its leaves and flowers, contains a mucilaginous substance similar to that found in spinach and okra. This quality makes hibiscus an excellent air purifier and detoxifier, known for its ability to freshen and improve air quality, benefiting overall health. Additionally, in traditional Vietnamese medicine, various parts of the hibiscus plant are used to treat pain, numbness in the limbs, acne, premature greying of hair, and fever.
Why is Hibiscus Considered Inauspicious in Vietnam?
Despite its aesthetic appeal, hibiscus is not typically used for incense offerings or as a decorative flower in Vietnamese homes. It is often grown along fences and requires minimal care. While hibiscus hybrids are now cultivated for ornamental purposes in parks, the flower has a history of being associated with negative connotations in Vietnamese culture.
In Vietnam, gifting hibiscus is considered disrespectful, and including it in a wedding ceremony is seen as an insult to the bride’s family. In the past, when a groom’s family was forced to accept a bride against their wishes, they would express their displeasure by placing hibiscus, instead of the traditional rose, in the mouth of the ceremonial chicken presented to the bride’s family.
Hibiscus: Pronounced Similarly to an Inappropriate Word in Vietnamese
In Vietnamese culture, hibiscus is not considered a auspicious flower, possibly due to its name. The word “râm bụt” sounds similar to “dâm bụt,” which has a negative connotation. Additionally, the flower’s shape resembles female reproductive organs, further contributing to its taboo status. As a result, hibiscus is excluded from decorative, spiritual, and gift-giving practices in Vietnam, mostly serving as a fence plant or a source of traditional medicine.
Disclaimer: This information is for reference only and should not be taken as absolute truth.
