Gentian Flower - Nature's Gift Blending Justice and Beauty

Hello, today I'd like to share the flower language of a special flower and the story behind it. Are you interested in plants? Flowers have a close relationship with people. Flowers are a must-have at important events such as weddings or funerals. A pretty flower you encounter while walking down the street can also brighten someone's day.

Are you curious about the flower we'll be encountering this time?

Today, I'll introduce you to the flower 'Gentiana'. Gentiana is a flower that grows in East Asia, including Korea, and is a beautiful flower with a bluish-purple color. It is particularly common in autumn and is one of the popular flowers for flower arrangements.

Gentiana is a flower loved by many for its charming color and beauty. The flower language of Gentiana is "Justice", which carries the meaning of reminding us of social values and righteous actions.

Another flower language of Gentiana is ‘I love you when you are sad’. The flower language of Gentiana originated from the shape of its flower bud. Gentiana is a dicotyledonous plant with purple flowers, and when many flowers bloom, they bend over and fall down. However, Gentiana does not lose its life and blooms another flower in between the fallen leaves. Due to its ability to bloom even in adversity, this flower language of Gentiana was created. Poet Bok Hyo-geun also wrote a poem titled 'I Love You When You Are Sad', which is the flower language of Gentiana.

What is the origin of Gentiana? Gentiana is a perennial herb belonging to the Gentianaceae family, and its root has a strong bitter taste, so it is said that it became 'Gentiana' (龍膽), meaning 'dragon's gall'.

In an agricultural society, water is the most important thing. Since water determines the harvest, the dragon, the source of water, was a sacred being and an object of worship because it controls rain. That's why it seems to have been called the dragon's gall. The scientific name is Gentiana scabra Bunge, and the generic name Gentiana is said to be derived from a legend that King Gentius discovered it while praying for a cure for the plague.

The legend of Gentiana is related to its medicinal effects. Once upon a time, a woodcutter saw a rabbit digging up roots in the snow and took the roots home to boil for his mother, who was suffering from a stomach ailment. It cured her. The medicinal name is called 'Chorongdam' (草龍膽). It is used as a medicinal herb to this extent. However, due to these medicinal properties, the population is decreasing to the point of extinction. Since the roots are traded at a high price as a medicinal herb, it has become a target for herbalists, and the once abundant Gentiana has become hard to find.

Remember the flower language of Gentiana, justice, even though it benefits people as a medicinal herb but its population is disappearing!

Have a good day today! Thank you.