Study On National Flowers In The World

National flower is a symbol of the country it represents. It is a typical form of flower culture with rich spiritual connotation. Reference materials show that there is seldom study on cultural characteristics of national flowers such as reasons of being selected as national flowers, ways of selection and their spiritual connotation etc. Most countries in the world have national flowers. However, as a country with5000-year history and civilization, China is still facing a problem that its people still have different opinions on the issue of national flower, which means profound study on "national flower" is urgently necessary to get unified understanding about China’s national flower.To explore the hypostatic fact of the phenomenon of national flower and seek solution to China’s problem about national flower, systematical survey and study were conducted on national flowers in the world. Related literatures from33countries were studied, questionnaires were distributed to some members of the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), and field surveys were conducted in cities of Luoyang, Heze, Nanjing, Wuhan, Wuxi, Chengdu, Shanghai and Qingdao, which are major cultivation places of tree peony(Paeonia suffruticosa) or Mei flower(Prnus mume). The cultural phenomenon of national flowers are statistically compared and analyzed. Species, number of species, life form, origin, natural flowering period, planting areas, etc. of national flowers of42countries are compared, the objective developing rule and basic characteristics of national flowers are summarized, based on which a definition of "National Flower" as well as opinions and suggestions on solving the national flower problem in China are put forward. Through complete and systematical study of national flowers in the world, the paper filled in the blank of study on national flowers. It is of positive influence to the exchange of international culture, providing theoretic support for solving the problem of national flower in China. Major results of this paper are as follows:1. Among the195countries in the world,127countries have national flower(s), taking up two thirds of the total number of world countries. Most of these countries take one or two kinds of flowers as national flowers, among which there are101countries with1kind of national flower,24countries with2kinds of national flowers. Only1country has3kinds of national flowers and1has4. The total number of national flowers of the127countries is156, belonging to122species,50families and101genera.2. Certain flower being regarded as national flower of a certain country is a process of cultural development in the history, with unique national feature and wide awareness among people in the country. Most national flowers are native to the countries they represent, with features of rich ornamental value, flowering naturally during the countries" important festival dates, widely planted in the countries, and suitable for being planted in other countries of the world.3. Based on the study results of our predecessors, a definition of National Flower are put forward as follows:National Flower is a flower being selected as symbol of a country and its culture by people of the country, by the government or stipulated by law, which is finally and widely accepted by the whole country. National Flower belongs to the scope of culture. It has close relation with the country and nation it represents and reflects the core value of the nation. A solid connection has been formed between National Flower and the country it represents, which can make people think about the country when mentioning the flower. National Flowers can carry on the nation’s excellent cultural tradition from generation to generation and arouse resonance within the hearts of people from the country. It can also be commonly recognized by people around the world.4. Compared with national flag, national anthem and national emblem, national flower is more of cultural feature and stability. According to our study, there was no example of a national flower being denied and replaced by another flower in the history. Once a flower was selected as national flower of a country, it did not changed when time or political system changed. Most national flowers in the world were selected by people of the countries. National Flower was not written in constitution. One country can select one or more kind of flower as national flower(s). 5.Tree peony and Mei flower have been traditionally cultivated in China for long history, with wide awareness among Chinese people. Tree peony has been regarded as China’s national flower for110years since1903in Qing Dynasty. Mei flower has been regarded as national flowers for85years since1928in Minguo period. For years, the spiritual connotation endowed with tree peony and Mei flower has been commonly acknowledged and carried on. So far, no reason has been put forward in any literatures denying their identification of national flowers of China. According to the common developing rules of national flowers in the world, combining China’s unique characteristics, tree peony and Mei flower should be regarded as China’s national flowers continuously.Based on the above results, relevant official authority is suggested to proclaim that tree peony and Mei flower were designated as China’s national flowers in history and should be continuously regarded as China’s national flowers, so that the whole nation will have common understanding; the culture of tree peony and Mei flower as China’s national flowers should be widely publicized to spread the splendid Chinese culture and valuable spirit of Chinese nation around the world; further study should be done to discover the connotation of the culture of national flower and increase the social and economic value of tree peony and Mei flower as China’s national flowers.