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Bỉ Ngạn flowers in Da Lat are intertwined with tales of sorrow and mystery. What do these flowers symbolize? Explore the stories surrounding this special flower in the article below.
Bỉ Ngạn flowers are associated with tragic legends and mysterious tales, marking a unique symbol of Da Lat in the eyes of travelers worldwide. Visitors to the misty city are deeply impressed by this special flower. In today's article, Mytour will take you on a journey to discover intriguing stories about Bỉ Ngạn flowers in Da Lat.
What do you know about Bỉ Ngạn flowers?
The existence of Bỉ Ngạn flowers is a question that intrigues many, as this flower is associated with mystical legends and spiritual tales. In reality, Bỉ Ngạn flowers are indeed real and can be found scattered in many places. Originally, Bỉ Ngạn flowers were discovered in China, followed by Japan. In the United States, Bỉ Ngạn flowers grow in Texas, North Carolina, and many other southern states.
Bỉ Ngạn flowers, scientifically known as Lycoris Radiata, have various names such as Red Spider Lily, Hurricane Lily, Magic Lily, Higanbana, Jigoku Lily, and more. They are perennial herbaceous plants, ranging from 40 to 100 cm in height. The striking feature of Bỉ Ngạn flowers is their eye-catching clustered blooms.
Bỉ Ngạn flowers come in two types: white Bỉ Ngạn flowers and red Bỉ Ngạn flowers, with the red variety being the most common. White Bỉ Ngạn flowers are also known as Manjushage, while red Bỉ Ngạn flowers have the charming name of Manjusaka. The flowering time of this species is very precise. Three days before and after the spring equinox is called the Bỉ Ngạn Spring, while three days before and after the autumn equinox is called the Bỉ Ngạn Autumn.
Bỉ Ngạn plants grow closely together, with flower stalks emerging from the ground, each bearing 5-7 blossoms that spread in all directions when blooming. A distinctive feature is that when the plant flowers, the leaves cease to grow, and where there are leaves, there are no flowers. Hence, the leaves and flowers of Bỉ Ngạn never meet.
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Are Bỉ Ngạn flowers poisonous?
Bỉ Ngạn flowers are often found on hillsides, riverbanks, along roadsides, or abundantly in cemeteries. The bulbs of this plant are highly toxic because they contain lycorine - a toxic substance that damages the nervous system. It is said that some people have lost their lives by eating the bulbs of this flower when hungry. Perhaps that's why, in ancient times, the Japanese disliked Bỉ Ngạn flowers and believed they symbolized death and mourning.
The Legend of Bỉ Ngạn Flowers
The First Legend
Folklore has it that Bỉ Ngạn flowers are the flowers of the underworld, often blooming next to the Vong Xuyên Lake in the underworld. The flowers are a vibrant red, resembling blood, covering the Hoàng Tuyền Road - the path from the mortal world to the underworld. According to legend, the scent of the flowers can evoke memories of the deceased's life. When the soul passes through the Vong Xuyên Lake, it forgets all memories of the mortal realm, leaving everything behind on the Bỉ Ngạn flowers. The Bỉ Ngạn flowers guide and comfort the wandering souls on their journey back to the spiritual realm. Bỉ Ngạn is a sanctuary for these souls. Therefore, on the days when the Bỉ Ngạn flowers bloom, people from the mortal world can enter the underworld - where they can reunite with their ancestors. For the Japanese, this is also an opportunity to visit and tend to the graves of their deceased.
The Second Legend
The Bỉ Ngạn flower,
Blooming for a thousand years
Withering for a thousand years,
Flower and leaf shall never meet
Not only confined to the realm of Hoàng Tuyền, the Bỉ Ngạn flower is also associated with another heartbreaking legend that brings tears to people's eyes. It is said that there is a special flower called Bỉ Ngạn Flower. Protecting the Bỉ Ngạn Flower are two mythical creatures named Mạn Châu and Sa Hoa. They have been guarding the Bỉ Ngạn Flower for thousands of years but have never laid eyes on each other.
When the flower blooms, the leaves vanish; when the leaves appear, the flower cannot be found. Flower and leaf shall never meet, just like Mạn Châu and Sa Hoa, forever like two parallel lines never intersecting at the same point. Yet, they passionately yearn for each other, enduring profound pain and suffering.
Driven by overwhelming longing, Mạn Châu and Sa Hoa decided to secretly meet once, defying the rules of the divine. Aware of their wrongdoing, the divine punished them severely, casting them into the cycle of reincarnation and cursing them to never be together, enduring suffering throughout countless lifetimes. Henceforth, Mạn Châu Sa Hoa only blooms on Hoàng Tuyền Road, under the Nại Hà Bridge, guiding separated couples and tormented souls back to the cycle of reincarnation to receive their karma.
The vibrant red blossoms of the Bỉ Ngạn flower bloom each season like arms reaching out to the heavens in supplication. Whenever Mạn Châu and Sa Hoa transition lifetimes, traversing the path through Vong Xuyên, they remember their past selves, vowing never to part but inevitably unable to break free from the curse of separation.
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Symbolism of the Bỉ Ngạn Flower
This flower holds various symbolic meanings, deeply intertwined with the spiritual life of Asians, often depicted in poetry and art. Many individuals choose to tattoo the Bỉ Ngạn flower on their skin due to their admiration for its profound significance and exquisite beauty. In each country, the Bỉ Ngạn flower is interpreted differently. For example:
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China: symbolizes purity and elegance
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Japan: represents painful memories
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North Korea: evokes longing and nostalgia
In general, when mentioning the Bỉ Ngạn flower, one immediately thinks of separation, suffering, omen, or death. Additionally, you can explore further the symbolism of the Bỉ Ngạn flower from a Buddhist perspective. In Buddhism, the term 'Bỉ Ngạn' refers to the pure land in the Western Paradise, hence the Bỉ Ngạn flower is considered the flower of the Heavenly realm. It is believed that seeing this flower can ward off evil deeds.
The Bỉ Ngạn Flower in Vietnam
The Bỉ Ngạn flower has been cultivated in many places around the world. In recent years, this flower has been introduced to Vietnam and greatly admired for its beauty and profound significance. You can easily grow Bỉ Ngạn flowers from bulbs to enhance your living space. It's best to plant Bỉ Ngạn flowers at the end of winter or early spring because they prefer shade and cannot tolerate high temperatures. However, if you have bulbs earlier, you can plant them in the summer, and with proper care, the plants will still thrive.
The soil for planting Bỉ Ngạn bulbs should be moist and loose. When planting, bury the bulbs 2/3 to ¾ into the soil, ensuring a distance of at least 10cm between bulbs if planting multiple bulbs in one pot. Bỉ Ngạn flowers can be grown in sunny areas, but plants grown in shade will bloom earlier than those in sunny locations. Throughout the growth process, make sure to keep the soil moist by watering, preferably using a misting spray. When the plant is in full bloom, water it daily to prolong the flowering period.
In Vietnam, Da Lat is renowned for its beautiful Bỉ Ngạn flowers. With its cool climate year-round and sloping terrain that facilitates water drainage, Da Lat is ideal for the growth of Bỉ Ngạn flowers. Therefore, Bỉ Ngạn flowers in Da Lat have gradually become a unique symbol for this land, alongside hundreds of other flowers that adorn the beauty of the city on the plateau.
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Traveling to Da Lat, just head to the City Flower Park or stroll along the charming slopes to admire the beautiful clusters of Bỉ Ngạn flowers. Don't forget to capture memorable photos with these vibrant Bỉ Ngạn flowers of Da Lat and discover their special significance! Contact Mytour for more details on the most affordable all-inclusive Da Lat tours.
