Top 10 Most Extraordinary National Flowers in the World

1. Tulip - the flower of bright beauty

Tulip (known as tulipa in English) is also known as the tulip flower. Tulips originally come from the Middle East and were brought to Europe in the 16th century, from the Ottoman Empire and were highly popular in the Netherlands at that time. Nowadays, tulips are grown all over the world. The Netherlands is famous for its tulip exports and has many beautiful tulip fields. There are about 150 species growing from North Africa and Europe to Central Asia and East Asia. The blooming season is usually from April to May. With such an impressive beauty, not only the Netherlands but also Turkey, Afghanistan, and Hungary have chosen tulips as their national flowers.

When mentioning tulips, people immediately think of the Netherlands as a characteristic cultural feature of this country. This is not a native flower but originated from Muslim countries in the Turkestan and Persia region. The origin of the name comes from the word 'Turban' - a type of headscarf worn by Muslim men and translated into Latin as 'Tulipa.' It became the prestigious national flower of the Dutch people since the 16th century. Moreover, tulips also represent prosperity, fame, and perfect love. Every spring, the tulip fields bloom vibrantly to dispel the darkness of winter, so the tulip is also a symbol of eternal life.

Tulips originate from Persia and Turkey, brought to Europe in the 16th century, and are favored by many countries. Nowadays, when it comes to tulips, people immediately think of the Netherlands, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Hungary as characteristic cultural features of these countries. Tulips come in various colors symbolizing different meanings: yellow tulips symbolize cheerful thoughts, forgiveness conveyed by white, red tulips symbolize responsibility, perfect love, and black tulips represent eternal love. In the language of flowers, a bouquet of tulips is a symbol of elegance and charm.

2. Snapdragon Flower - the emotionally versatile bloom

Carnation is a genus of about 300 species of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae, mainly native to Europe and Asia, with a few species found in northern Africa, and one species in the northernmost part of North America. Carnations are flowers with diverse meanings. Each color of carnation carries a different significance, but overall, it is a versatile flower. This emotionally versatile flower is chosen as the national flower by 4 countries including Spain, Portugal, Slovenia, Barbados.

Another name for the carnation plant is cloves, and it is called Carnation in English. The flowers come in striking colors such as white with pink spots, pink, red, yellow, and orange... Carnations possess two types: single and double blooms. Each carnation plant grows from 50 to 100cm tall with a light green stem that is susceptible to breaking due to its height and many nodes. The white powdery layer covering the stem's exterior helps the plant resist moisture loss and limit pests and diseases. The slender leaves of carnations, up to 15cm long, range from grayish-green to bluish-green. Cool spring or early summer days are the ideal time for them to thrive and bloom.

Each carnation flower petal has a diameter of 3 to 5cm, typically in a bright pink-purple color. As they mature, the flowers develop additional colors such as red, yellow, white... offering a wide range of choices for users to match their needs. In European countries and some Asian countries, carnations are the designated flowers for Mother's Day, symbolizing gratitude, kindness, and boundless love from mothers to their children. Due to the beautiful meanings associated with carnations, this flower is chosen as the national flower of Slovenia.

Jasmine or jasminum is a genus of shrubs and vines in the olive family, containing around 200 species, native to tropical and warm temperate regions of Eurasia and Oceania. Jasmine flowers and leaves have a spicy, sweet taste, a cool nature; they have the effects of calming, clearing heat, resolving phlegm, and benefiting the low. Jasmine flowers are used to make perfume and tea. Jasmine symbolizes love, purity, dedication, and loyalty. Two countries, the Philippines and Indonesia, have chosen jasmine as their national flower. The characteristic feature of the jasmine plant is that it is a shrub or vine, about 3 meters tall, with green leaves, oval or elliptical in shape, and shiny leaf surface. Jasmine flowers are flowers with petal whorls, emitting a pure fragrance that awakens the senses of those who inadvertently touch the scent emanating from jasmine flowers.

Typically, there are only 3-5 flowers on each branch, but if the plant grows and develops under the best conditions, the flowers are abundant, often blooming at the tips of branches or in leaf axils. Jasmine flowers are pure white, single or multi-layered, the white color of jasmine flowers creates a pure and pure beauty, symbolizing the innocent soul of a white-clad woman. Therefore, people often choose jasmine flowers as birthday flowers instead of praising: 'The innocence and purity in you have conquered my heart.' From June to October every year is the time when jasmine plants bloom.

Jasmine with its characteristic sweet fragrance. Appearing in myths, folklore, and songs of the Philippines, Sampaguita flowers are considered symbols of purity, humility, simplicity, and strength recognized by the Philippines as the National Flower on February 1, 1934. These flowers are also used to make perfume and tea. It is also the national flower of Indonesia, where it is called melati putih. In South Asia, it is the national flower of Pakistan.

Within the hearts of the Vietnamese people, the lotus is a symbol of bright, noble, and pure beauty. It represents reverence, solemnity, and carries the spirit of an entire nation. Therefore, the lotus flower is always an endless source of inspiration for poetry and art,... It is an aquatic plant originating from Asia and holds an ancient position in all especially the Buddhist cultures. Therefore, the lotus flower is chosen as the national flower of both Vietnam and India.

The lotus flower symbolizes the indomitable dignity of the Vietnamese people. The lotus flower grows from swamps but is not submerged or tarnished. The lotus flower still retains its pure fragrance as the Vietnamese folk saying goes: 'near mud but not smelling like mud'. Like the Vietnamese people, who have gone through bloody wars, they still maintain the national spirit, the iron will against the enemy. The lotus flower is always a very fresh and vivid topic in the literary works, architectural projects of the Vietnamese people from ancient times to the present and deserves to become the national flower of Vietnam - a heroic nation.

The lotus is not only a symbol of the indigenous Vietnamese people but also a noble flower of Buddhism, always appearing in literary works and architectural projects for generations. In addition, the lotus flower is also a symbol of simplicity, elegance, and purity, the lotus embodies the character, lifestyle, and soul of the Vietnamese people. The lotus is also a priceless gift from nature, as from the lotus can be processed into nutritious foods, special medicines. The lotus is fragrant, colorful, in any situation, the lotus always contains in it sophistication, purity, and beauty. It truly is the most representative symbol of the culture and humanistic character of the Vietnamese people.

Iris flower, also known as Diên Vĩ, is a perennial plant with sword-shaped leaves and large, colorful flowers. Originating from the Mediterranean region, particularly southern Europe, the Iris holds special significance in France as a symbol of royalty, wisdom, and loyalty. The flower's stylized form, known as the “fleur-de-lis,” has been the official emblem of France since the 13th century.

The Iris has long been associated with the Virgin Mary, making it a symbol of divine purity. Under King Louis IX, its three petals were interpreted as symbols of faithfulness, wisdom, and hope. Its imagery is widely used in paintings and architectural art. Named after the Greek goddess Iris, Iris flowers are considered to have healing properties. The perennial plant features tall, sword-shaped leaves and large, colorful blossoms with three petals and three drooping sepals, representing loyalty, wisdom, and courage, serving as symbols of royalty and divine protection.

This captivating flower has garnered admiration from many. France's national flower, the beautiful Iris, is seen as an ambassador of peace. Since the 13th century, the French royal family has adorned themselves and their palaces with Iris flowers as a symbol of integrity, enlightenment, and vitality. Beyond its graceful beauty, the Iris also holds great value in perfumery, contributing to many high-end fragrances of France.