Southeast Asia Philippines The
Jasminum sambac (
Filipino and
Philippine Spanish:
sampaguita) was adopted by the
Philippines as the
national flower on 1 February 1934 via Proclamation No. 652 issued by
American Governor-General Frank Murphy. It is also by native common names, including
kampupot in
Tagalog;
kulatai,
pongso, or
kampupot in
Kapampangan;
manul in the
Visayan languages;
lumabi or
malul in
Maguindanao; and
hubar or
malur in
Tausug.
Filipinos string the flowers into leis,
corsages, and sometimes crowns. These garlands are available as loose strings of blossoms or as tight clusters of buds, and are commonly sold by vendors outside churches and near street intersections. Sampaguita garlands are used as a form of bestowing honour, veneration, or accolade. These are primarily used to adorn religious images, religious processions and photographs of the dead on altars. These are placed around the necks of living persons such as dignitaries, visitors, and occasionally to graduating students. Buds strung into ropes several metres long are often used to decorate formal events such state occasions at
Malacañang Palace, weddings, and are sometimes used as the ribbon in
ribbon cutting ceremonies. Though edible, the flower is rarely used in cuisine, with an unusual example being flavouring for ice cream.
Jasminum sambac is the subject of the
danza song
La Flor de Manila, composed by
Dolores Paterno in 1879. The song was popular during the
Commonwealth and is now regarded as a
romantic classic. The flower is also the namesake of the song
El Collar de Sampaguita. The design of the ceremonial torch for the
2019 Southeast Asian Games, designed by Filipino sculptor Daniel Dela Cruz, was inspired by the sampaguita. File:Sampaguita Flower Necklace.png|A sampaguita flower necklace purchased in the Philippines
Indonesia Surakarta bride adorned with intricate
roncen melati (jasmine garland)
Jasminum sambac () is one of the three
national flowers in
Indonesia, the other two being the
moon orchid and the
giant padma. the importance of
Jasminum sambac in
Indonesian culture long predates its official adoption. Since the formation of Indonesian republic during the reign of
Sukarno,
melati putih is always unofficially recognized as the national flower of Indonesia. The reverence and its elevated status is mostly due to the importance of this flower in Indonesian tradition
since ancient times. It has long been considered a sacred flower in Indonesian tradition, as it symbolizes purity, sacredness, and
sincerity. It also represents the beauty of
modesty; a small and simple white flower that can produce such sweet fragrance. It is also the most prevalent flower in wedding ceremonies for ethnic
Indonesians, especially in the island of
Java. Jasmine flower buds that have not fully opened are usually picked to create strings of jasmine
garlands (). On wedding days, a traditional
Javanese or
Sundanese bride's hair is adorned with strings of jasmine garlands arranged as a hairnet to cover the
konde (
hair bun). The intricately intertwined strings of jasmine garlands are left to hang loose from the bride's head. The groom's
kris is also adorned with five jasmine garlands called
roncen usus-usus (intestine garlands) to refer its intestine-like form and also linked to the legend of
Arya Penangsang. In Makassar and
Bugis brides, the hair is also adorned with buds of jasmine that resemble pearls. Jasmine is also used as floral offerings for
hyangs, spirits and deities especially among
Balinese Hindu, and also often present during funerals. In South Sumatran traditional costume, the
bungo melati pattern in
Palembang songket fabrics depicts the jasmine to represent beauty and femininity. The jasmine symbolizes a wide variety of things in Indonesian traditions; it is the flower of life, beauty and festive wedding, yet it is also often associated with spirits and death; the sudden scent of jasmine is often an
ominous sign for the
superstitious, as it may herald the presence of a
ghost or
jinn. In Indonesian patriotic songs and poems, the fallen
melati is often the representation of
fallen heroes that
sacrificed their lives and died for the country, a very similar concept to fallen
sakura that represents fallen heroes in Japanese tradition.
Ismail Marzuki's patriotic song
"Melati di Tapal Batas" (jasmine on the border) (1947) and
Guruh Sukarnoputra's
"Melati Suci" (sacred jasmine) (1974) clearly refer jasmine as the representation of fallen heroes, the eternally fragrant flower that adorned
Ibu Pertiwi (Indonesian
national personification). Iwan Abdurachman's
"Melati Dari Jayagiri" (jasmine from Jayagiri mountain) refers to jasmine as the representation of the pure unspoiled beauty of a girl and also a long-lost love. In Indonesia,
essential oils are extracted from jasmine flowers and buds by using the
steam distillation process. Jasmine essential oil is one of the most expensive
commodities in the
aromatherapy and
perfume industry.
Cambodia In
Cambodia, the flower is used as an offering to the
Buddha. During flowering season which begins in June, Cambodians thread the flower buds onto a wooden needle to be presented to the
Buddha.
Thailand In
Thailand, this flower is often strung into a garland for offerings to Buddha. Its name is called in
Thai as
"mali la" () or
"mali son" (). Their names are referenced in
central folk songs, until it is widely known and popular. It has been adapted into a sports song. In addition, the flower is also used as a symbol on
Mother's Day in Thailand as well which falls on August 12, birthday of
Queen Sirikit.
East Asia China In China, the flower () is processed and used as the main flavoring ingredient in
jasmine tea (茉莉花茶).
Middle East In
Oman,
Jasminum sambac features prominently on a child's first birthday. They are used to make thick garlands used as hair adornments. Flowers are sprinkled on the child's head by other children while chanting "hol hol". The fragrant flowers are also sold packed in between large leaves of the Indian almond (
Terminalia catappa) and sewn together with strips of
date palm leaves. In
Bahrain The flower is made into a pin along with the leaf of a palm tree to commemorate the martyrs of the country, similar to the White Poppy flower. Egyptians sometimes make it into garlands and necklaces.
South Asia India Jasmine is considered to be a sacred flower in
Hinduism. It is one of the most commonly grown ornamentals in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, where it is native. At Indian weddings, the bride often adorns her hair with garlands made of mogra, either around a bun or wrapped across a braid. However, their usage is not limited to important events. Many women in
South India pin fresh strings of Jasmine to their hair every day.
Sri Lanka In Sri Lanka it is widely known as
pichcha or
gaeta pichcha. The name
sithapushpa and
katarolu are also used in older texts. The flowers are used in Buddhist temples and in ceremonial garlands. ==Toxicity==