Flowers have long served as national and cultural symbols across Asia, representing everything from local flora and historical traditions to religious beliefs and national identity. Familiar examples include India’s lotus, Malaysia’s hibiscus, Singapore’s Vanda Miss Joaquim, and South Korea’s mugunghwa.

However, the term “national flower” requires some care. Some Asian countries have formally designated national flowers, while others are associated with widely recognized floral symbols that do not necessarily have the same official status. China, for example, has no officially designated national flower, although the tree peony is widely regarded as a national favorite.

This country-by-country list explores national flowers and prominent floral symbols across East, Southeast, South, Central, and Western Asia, along with the cultural significance associated with each.

Flower Lovers Want to Know

Does every Asian country have an official national flower?
No. Some Asian countries have formally designated national flowers, while others are associated with traditional or widely recognized floral symbols that may not have official legal status.

Does China have an official national flower?
China does not currently have an officially designated national flower. The tree peony is nevertheless one of the country’s best-known floral symbols and has been proposed as a national flower.

What is Malaysia’s national flower?
Malaysia’s national flower is the bunga raya, or Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis). It was declared the national flower in 1960.

What is Singapore’s national flower?
Singapore’s national flower is Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim, traditionally known as Vanda Miss Joaquim. It was selected as the national flower in 1981.

What is Sri Lanka’s national flower?
Sri Lanka’s national flower is the blue water lily, or Nymphaea nouchali.

National Flowers of Asian Countries: A Country-by-Country List

The flowers below are organized by region to make the list easy to explore. Some are officially designated national flowers, while others are widely recognized national or cultural floral symbols. Where official status is unclear, the distinction is noted rather than assuming every country has a formally designated national flower.

East Asian National Flowers & Floral Symbols

China — Tree Peony

The tree peony (Paeonia spp.) is one of China’s most celebrated floral symbols, known for its large, richly colored blooms in shades of pink, red, white, and purple. Peonies have appeared in Chinese art, gardens, and literature for centuries and are traditionally associated with prosperity and honor. Although the peony is widely regarded as a national floral symbol, China does not currently have an officially designated national flower.

Japan — Cherry Blossom

Cherry blossoms, or sakura, are among Japan’s most recognizable floral symbols. Their delicate pink or white flowers transform parks, gardens, and streets each spring and are celebrated during hanami, the tradition of viewing blossoms. Sakura are closely associated with spring, beauty, renewal, and the fleeting nature of life in Japanese culture.

South Korea — Mugunghwa

The mugunghwa (Hibiscus syriacus), commonly known as the rose of Sharon, is South Korea’s national flower. Its pink, lavender, white, or reddish flowers appear over a long summer blooming period. The flower has become closely associated with Korean national identity, endurance, and perseverance.

North Korea — Magnolia

The magnolia known as mokran is North Korea’s national flower. Its large white blossoms have a prominent central cluster of stamens and are valued for their elegant appearance and fragrance. The flower appears as a national symbol in North Korean culture.

Taiwan — Plum Blossom

The plum blossom (Prunus mume) is the official flower of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Its white or pink flowers can open during cold winter weather, before many other plants begin flowering. This ability to bloom under difficult conditions has helped make the plum blossom a symbol of perseverance and resilience.

Southeast Asian National Flowers & Floral Symbols

Indonesia — Jasmine, Moon Orchid & Rafflesia

Indonesia recognizes three national flowers, each representing a different aspect of the country’s botanical heritage. White jasmine (Jasminum sambac) is valued for its small, intensely fragrant flowers, while the moon orchid (Phalaenopsis amabilis) produces elegant pale blooms. Rafflesia arnoldii, famous for producing an enormous individual flower, represents Indonesia’s extraordinary native biodiversity.

Malaysia — Bunga Raya

Malaysia’s national flower is the bunga raya, or Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis). Its large, trumpet-shaped flowers occur in many colors, although the red form is particularly associated with the country. Malaysia officially selected the bunga raya as its national flower in 1960.

Philippines — Sampaguita

Sampaguita (Jasminum sambac) is the national flower of the Philippines. The plant produces small white flowers prized for their strong, sweet fragrance and commonly woven into garlands. Sampaguita flowers have long been associated with hospitality, ceremonies, religious observances, and expressions of respect.

Singapore — Vanda Miss Joaquim

Singapore’s national flower is Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim, traditionally known as Vanda Miss Joaquim. This vigorous hybrid orchid produces distinctive purple-pink flowers and was created by Singapore horticulturist Agnes Joaquim in the late 19th century. It was selected as Singapore’s national flower in 1981.

Thailand — Ratchaphruek

The golden shower tree (Cassia fistula), known in Thailand as ratchaphruek, produces spectacular hanging clusters of golden-yellow flowers. The brilliant blooms can cover much of the tree during the flowering season, creating a striking display. The flower has strong national and royal associations in Thailand.

Vietnam — Lotus

The lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is one of Vietnam’s most prominent floral symbols. Its pink or white flowers rise above broad floating leaves and have long appeared in Vietnamese art, architecture, religion, and everyday culture. The lotus is traditionally associated with purity and resilience.

Myanmar — Padauk

Padauk (Pterocarpus macrocarpus) is strongly associated with Myanmar and its traditional New Year celebrations. The tree produces clusters of bright golden-yellow flowers, often appearing after seasonal rains. Its brief but spectacular flowering has made padauk an important cultural and seasonal symbol.

Cambodia — Rumduol

Rumduol (Sphaerocoryne affinis) is Cambodia’s national flower. The plant produces small yellowish-white flowers known for their pleasant fragrance, particularly during the evening. Rumduol has long been appreciated in Cambodia for both its scent and cultural associations with beauty.

Laos — Dok Champa

Dok champa, the Lao name for frangipani (Plumeria spp.), is one of the country’s best-known floral symbols. Its fragrant flowers commonly appear in shades of white, cream, yellow, and pink. The blossoms are closely associated with Lao temples, ceremonies, hospitality, and traditional culture.

Brunei — Simpur

Simpur (Dillenia suffruticosa) is a distinctive flowering shrub closely associated with Brunei. It produces large yellow flowers with prominent stamens and broad, strongly veined leaves. The plant is common enough in Brunei’s landscape that its leaves and flowers have become recognizable national botanical symbols.

South Asian National Flowers & Floral Symbols

India — Lotus

The lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is India’s national flower and one of the country’s most recognizable botanical symbols. Its large pink or white flowers rise above the surface of ponds and wetlands on sturdy stalks. The lotus has deep cultural and religious significance in Indian traditions and appears extensively in art, architecture, and literature.

Pakistan — Jasmine

Jasmine is widely recognized as Pakistan’s national flower. Its delicate white blossoms are best known for their powerful fragrance and are commonly grown in gardens and used in floral decorations. Jasmine has become closely associated with beauty, simplicity, and Pakistani cultural traditions.

Bangladesh — Shapla

The shapla, or water lily (Nymphaea nouchali), is Bangladesh’s national flower. It grows naturally in ponds, wetlands, and other freshwater habitats throughout the country. Its familiar floating leaves and pale flowers reflect the importance of rivers and wetlands to the Bangladeshi landscape.

Sri Lanka — Blue Water Lily

Sri Lanka’s national flower is the blue water lily (Nymphaea nouchali). Its star-like blue to violet flowers rise above floating leaves in ponds and other freshwater habitats. The flower has longstanding cultural and religious significance in Sri Lanka and frequently appears in traditional imagery.

Nepal — Rhododendron

The tree rhododendron (Rhododendron arboreum), known locally as lali gurans, is Nepal’s national flower. Its brilliant red blossoms brighten forested hillsides and mountain landscapes during the flowering season. The species is particularly associated with Nepal’s Himalayan environment and natural heritage.

Bhutan — Blue Poppy

The blue poppy (Meconopsis gakyidiana) is Bhutan’s national flower. This high-altitude species produces striking blue to violet flowers with contrasting golden stamens and grows naturally in mountainous areas of Bhutan and neighboring parts of the Himalayas. Its alpine habitat makes the blue poppy a distinctive botanical symbol of Bhutan’s mountain landscape.

Maldives — Pink Rose

The pink polyantha rose, locally known as Fiyaathoshi Finifenmaa or simply Finifenmaa, is the national flower of the Maldives. Identified as Rosa polyantha, it produces clusters of delicate pink flowers. The pink rose was declared the country’s national flower on July 25, 1985.

Central Asian National Flowers & Floral Symbols

Kazakhstan — Apple Blossom

Kazakhstan has a particularly strong botanical connection with apples. Wild Malus sieversii, considered one of the ancestors of modern cultivated apples, grows naturally in the country’s mountain regions and is listed in Kazakhstan’s Red Book. Although the apple blossom is closely associated with Kazakhstan and especially Almaty, it is better described as a prominent floral symbol than as an officially designated national flower.

Uzbekistan — Tulip

Tulips are an important part of Uzbekistan’s native flora, with several wild species occurring in the country’s mountains and protected natural areas. These include rare species such as Tulipa ingens, an endemic tulip listed in Uzbekistan’s Red Book. Tulips are therefore significant botanical symbols of Uzbekistan, although an official national-flower designation is not well established.

Kyrgyzstan — Edelweiss

Edelweiss is closely associated with the high mountain landscapes of Kyrgyzstan, where alpine plants thrive under challenging conditions. Its distinctive woolly, star-shaped flower heads make it a recognizable symbol of mountainous environments. Although sometimes described as Kyrgyzstan’s national flower, edelweiss is better treated as a floral symbol because a formal national-flower designation is not well established.

Tajikistan — Siyovush Flower & Tulip

The Siyovush flower and tulip were officially designated as the national flowers of Tajikistan in 2026. The distinctive Siyovush flower has pale petals marked with deep purple and yellow, while tulips bring brilliant red and other spring colors to the country’s landscapes. Both flowers are associated with spring, the renewal of nature, beauty, and Tajik cultural identity.

Western Asian National Flowers & Floral Symbols

Saudi Arabia — Arabian Coffee

Arabian coffee (Coffea arabica) has deep cultural and agricultural importance in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the country’s southwestern growing regions. The plant produces clusters of fragrant white flowers before developing coffee cherries. Although coffee is an important part of Saudi cultural heritage, it is better described here as a national cultural plant rather than an officially designated national flower.

Syria — Jasmine

Jasmine is closely associated with Syria, particularly Damascus, where fragrant jasmine vines are a familiar feature of traditional courtyards and gardens. The small white flowers release an especially strong perfume and have become an enduring floral symbol of the city. Jasmine is therefore better understood here as a prominent cultural floral symbol rather than a formally documented national flower.

Jordan — Black Iris

The black iris is Jordan’s national flower and one of the country’s most distinctive native floral symbols. Its dramatic blooms appear nearly black but are actually extremely deep shades of purple or violet. Native iris species occur in different parts of Jordan, making these striking flowers closely associated with the country’s natural heritage.

Israel — Crown Anemone

The crown anemone (Anemone coronaria), known in Hebrew as calanit, was selected as Israel’s national flower in a 2013 public campaign organized by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel and Ynet. The species produces red, pink, purple, blue, or white flowers and creates colorful seasonal displays during winter and early spring.

Palestine — Faqqua Iris

The Faqqua iris (Iris haynei) is recognized as a national flower and botanical symbol of Palestine. This native iris produces striking deep purple to reddish-purple flowers and is particularly associated with the hills around Faqqua, east of Jenin. Its limited natural range also gives the species particular conservation significance.

Yemen — Arabian Coffee

Coffee has an especially important historical connection with Yemen, which played a major role in the early cultivation and international trade of coffee. Coffea arabica produces fragrant white flowers followed by red coffee cherries. Coffee is an important cultural and botanical symbol of Yemen, although a formal designation as the country’s national flower is not well established.

Kuwait — Arfaj

Arfaj (Rhanterium epapposum) is a desert shrub native to the Arabian Peninsula and closely associated with Kuwait’s natural landscape. It produces numerous small yellow flower heads following favorable rainfall. The plant is an important Kuwaiti botanical symbol and is well adapted to the country’s arid environment.

Armenia — Apricot Blossom

The apricot has a particularly strong cultural and historical association with Armenia, and apricot trees produce delicate white to pale pink blossoms in spring. The fruit and tree are important elements of Armenian cultural heritage. The apricot blossom is best described as a cultural floral symbol rather than as an officially designated national flower.

Cyprus — Cyclamen

The Cyprus cyclamen (Cyclamen cyprium) is the national flower of Cyprus and an endemic species found naturally on the island. Its white to pale pink flowers have darker purple markings near the base of the petals and typically appear from autumn into winter. It was declared the national flower of Cyprus at a botanical congress in April 1966.

Final Sprouts of Wisdom

Flowers offer a colorful window into the cultures, landscapes, and histories of countries across Asia. From India’s lotus and Malaysia’s red hibiscus to Singapore’s distinctive orchid and South Korea’s mugunghwa, many have become enduring symbols of national identity and cultural tradition.

However, not every flower associated with a country has the same official status. Some have been formally designated as national flowers, while others are better understood as widely recognized cultural or floral symbols.

That distinction is part of what makes these flowers so interesting: each has its own story, shaped by the plants, people, traditions, and landscapes of the country with which it is associated.