Seasonal Flowers in Myanmar Calendar

 

By Zin Zin (Tourism)

In the same way, Myanmar is rich in splendid culture; native flora can reflect and contribute to the personality of the place as flowers tell the story of natural history of its local. During your Myanmar tour, you will see everything is different including flowers blooming in Myanmar.

Myanmar people sell colorful flowers especially at the markets for the decorations during festivals, the shrines or pagodas, your spa or hotel room.

This article describes you how Myanmar People had characterized twelve months in their calendar by matching seasonal flowers so that everyone can know a specific month by notifying the related flower. For Myanmar people, flowers are not only valuable specimen but also great valuable items in Myanmar traditional medicine.

See what they are!

1. Tagu Month – AUGUST

Gant gaw Flower

Botanical Name of plant  –        Mesua Ferrea

Mesua ferrea is a species in the family Calophyllaceae. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental due to its graceful shape, grayish-green foliage with a beautiful pink to red flush of drooping young leaves, and large, fragrant white flowers. In Theravada Buddhism, this tree is said to have used as the tree for achieved enlightenment or Bodhi by four Lord Buddhas. You can find these plants in many places of Myanmar especially at the Mount Popa, famous spot for tourists. The state counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, whose hair is always adorned with flowers, loves this Gant gaw Flower much. You can easily see it as her trademark symbol.

 

2. Kasone Month – MAY

Za gar Flower

Botanical Name of plant  –        Michelia champaca

This ornamental tree produces an abundance of extremely fragrant flowers. In our literature, there are four kinds of Za gar flowers of yellow, white, red and green color. But Yellow one is historical. The legend said that Pa Phae Maung Thint Tae who is one of the spirits called a Nat in Myanmar was died at Zagar tree. Its smell is heavenly and champaca is logged for its valuable timber. We have known that the flowers from this tree are used to make the world’s most expensive perfume ‘Joy’. These flowers trees can be found mostly in the middle part of Myanmar.

3. Nayone Month – JUNE

Za bai Flower/ Jasmine

Botanical Name of plant  –        Jasminum arbores

They are fragrant five-petalled star-like white flowers, native to Burma (Myanmar). Jasmine is a popular flower associated with love and romance. When used in religious ceremonies jasmine represents purity. In this way, it’s meanings varies depending on the culture and setting. In Myanmar, you can see garlands of jasmine easily at the street market or on the roads. Find and Buy it!

4. Waso Month – JULY

Myat Lay Flower

Botanical Name of plant  –        Jasminum gradiflorum

                  It’s also known variously as the Spanish jasmine or Royal jasmine. People use these flowers for herbal medicine. Myanmar People love these flowers and symbolized having the courage. Myanmar People also call “MuLay Flower.

Pone Nyat Flower

Botanical Name of plant         –        Calophyllum inophyllum

Its appearance can be missed with Kant Kaw flower, similar but different. Because of its decorative leaves, fragrant flowers, and spreading crown, it is best known as an ornamental plant. You can especially find them at the shady places or costal area.

5. Wakhaung Month – AUGUST

Khat Ta Flower

Botanical Name of plant  –        Crimum amoenum

It is slender-petaled, fragrant white flower that are highlighted with long, wine red stamens. When the rain drop falls, it begins to start blooming. Myanmar People call it “Gamone Khat Ta Phyu” and donate it to the pagoda without putting water in the vessel.

6. Tawthalin Month – SEPTEMBER

Yin Mar Flower

Botanical Name of plant  –        Chukrasia Tabularis

You can find it especially in the upper part of Myanmar. The tree is widely exploited in the wild for its valuable timber. It also has local medicinal uses, supplies various commodities and is a useful agroforestry species. It has different fragrance and appearance. Lovely ones!

7. Thitingyut Month – OCTOBER

Kyar Flower/ Lotus

Botanical Name of plant  –        Nelumbium speciosum

         It is a famous flower all over the world and also a valuable one for Myanmar People. They are partners with water. When you tell Kyar flower, you will find two types called Lotus and Water lily. The difference is that lotus flowers are emergent while lily flowers are floating.

8. Tazaungmone Month – NOVEMBER

Kha wei Flower

Botanical Name of plant – Luffa acutangula

It is the yellow flower of a plant which produces unripe fruits as a vegetable. A popular vegetable in southeast Asia, where the mildly bitter flavour, the slightly spongy texture and sweet juiciness are appreciated. The fruit is also the source of fibres that are commonly used for making skin brushes, dish cleaners etc. If you like this vegetable, don’t forget to love its flower.

 

9. Nataw Month – DECEMBER

Tazin Flower

Botanical Name of plant –  Bulbothyllum. Sp

Myanmar People usually say that ‘Tazin’ is the queen of the flowers. This royal flower is the symbol of Rakhine People, one of the ethnic groups in Myanmar. They also have a lot of stories related with this flower. See this famous quote of Daw Aung San Su Kyi “Tiny exquisite blossoms, parchment colored with golden yellow stamens, drooping from a curve of translucent green stems. For the Burmese, the thazin is exceedingly romantic, delicate and difficult to nurture, its graceful beauty barely separable from the sharp coolness of the season when it comes into flower.”…Letter from Burma!

 

10. Pyartho Month – JANUARY

Khwar Nyo Flower

 

Botanical Name of plant – Clematis smilacifolia

It has unusual sweet fragrance. Clusters of dark curled purple sepals cradle the upright pure white petals. You can see these beautiful ones at the famous destinations like Mandalay and Pyin Oo Lwin.

 

11. Tabotwe Month – FEBRUARY

Pauk Flower

Botanical Name of plant – Butea Frondosa        

It bears a profusion of intense vermilion velvet-textured blooms and yielding a yellow dye. You can see they are blooming in the abundance beautifully at the high. Find them especially in the middle part of Myanmar.

 

        12. Tabaung Month – MARCH

Tha ra phi Flower

Botanical Name of plant – Calophyllum amoenum

It is the tropical region plant. You can find these flowers mostly at the evergreen forest of Tanintharyi Region. It is similar with Pone Nyat flower- Calophyllum inophyllum. Myanmar People use its pollen in Thanaka which is Myanmar Traditional Make Up. Try it!

Just like the Myanmar Proverb; “If you don’t know the season, look at the flower!”

Traveling can show you a thousand of colorful things.

Find it in Myanmar!