As August arrives, Rose of Sharon festivals are in full swing across the country. Large-scale mugunghwa events are being held at botanical gardens and arboretums in various regions, including Seoul, Suwon, Daejeon, Gwangju in South Jeolla Province, and Bonghwa in North Gyeongsang Province. August is when the Rose of Sharon blooms most fully. During its flowering period from July to October, the Rose of Sharon blooms most splendidly and abundantly in this season, when intense sunlight pours down.
August 8 is Rose of Sharon Day. This day was created by the small hands of children. It began with a child's question. It was an internet post that read, "Why is there no Rose of Sharon Day?" Children and civic groups nationwide sympathized with the pure question of a young child. Afterward, Rose of Sharon Day was created with the signatures of more than 10,000 children. After a children's organization declared Rose of Sharon Day on August 8, 2007, the private sector has commemorated this day every year.
August 8 also carries a special meaning. When the number "8" is laid on its side, it becomes the symbol "∞," representing infinity. It is a day that visually embodies the nature of the Rose of Sharon (mugunghwa), which blooms and falls endlessly. As August includes Liberation Day, it is also a good time to reflect on the meaning of the Rose of Sharon. However, Rose of Sharon Day is not an official commemorative day. Without a legal basis, it is observed as a private commemorative day. This is because the Rose of Sharon has not been legally established as the official national flower. In response, the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) is leading a nationwide signature campaign for the "Legislation of the Rose of Sharon as the National Flower" to raise public awareness.
The Rose of Sharon has been with the history of the Korean people. Since ancient times, our country has been called Geunyeok, meaning "the land of many Rose of Sharon." Official diplomatic documents from the Silla era also contain records describing our country as "Geunhwahyang," in other words, "the country of the Rose of Sharon." In particular, through the Japanese colonial period, the Rose of Sharon established itself as the flower of the nation. Independence activists loved the Rose of Sharon because it shares many things in common with the Korean people.
First, it possesses a strong vitality. The Rose of Sharon loves sunlight. It survives and blooms even in the scorching summer sun, heat waves, and monsoon rains. It resembles our people, who overcame any hardship without yielding. The Rose of Sharon is also synonymous with perseverance. For about 100 days from July to October, it blooms and falls every day. Just like the expression "eternal and everlasting," our people, with indomitable will and firm endurance, have carried on their unique history and traditions to build today's Republic of Korea.
Its dignity is also admirable. While most other flowers are beautiful when they bloom but become messy when they fall, the Rose of Sharon slowly closes its once fully bloomed buds and falls neatly. It does not scatter its petals lightly. From this clean appearance until the very last moment, a sense of dignity is felt. That is why the Rose of Sharon has historically been used often as a national symbol of our people. It was used as decoration for the eosahwa, the flower bestowed by the king upon those who passed the state examination during the Joseon Dynasty. The finial of the current Taegeukgi flag is also shaped like a Rose of Sharon bud, the name of the Republic of Korea's highest order of merit is the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, and the badge of the National Assembly members, the representatives of the people, is also shaped like the Rose of Sharon.
The entire country is boiling from record-breaking heat waves day after day. But even in this heat, the Rose of Sharon does not tire and blooms and falls every day, opening beautiful flowers in full. This is why the Rose of Sharon symbolizes new hope that overcomes any hardship. Let us also cultivate a love for our country by looking at the beautiful Rose of Sharon flowers that have bloomed everywhere, and by visiting the Rose of Sharon festival in our own region to cool off from the heat. And like the indomitable Rose of Sharon, let us all overcome this hot August.
