Flower Power

Surprised birthday party by Marketing Dept FINAS in April 2010

Ladies are usually obsessed over flowers. We will expect bouquet of flowers delivered to our doorstep on birthdays or valentine's. They don't really care what type of flowers as long as the bouquet comes in a nice package. But I believe many of us prefer roses as it symbolizes love, beauty & passion. The colors also have different meaning like for example, red rose means love & respect; white rose means innocence & secrecy; yellow rose means joy & friendship. But guys, avoid sending yellow carnation which means rejection or orange lily which means hatred, or else you will be sorry hahahaha

Appreciating hibisus at Cameron Highland, Malaysia in June 2011

In general, flowers have been a symbol of beauty for most cultural in the world. For Malaysia, Bunga Raya merah or red Hibiscus was adopted as the national flower on 28 July 1960 by the 1st Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman. The Hibiscus was chosen because the 5 petals representing the Rukun Negara (National Principles) to unite the people & the red color representing the courage of Malaysians. Though hibiscus has no smell, but the this flower has many healthy benefits like hibiscus tea which is popular as natural diuretic & contains vitamin C and minerals. The petals & leaves are also use as hair treatment that make your hair grows shiny & healthy. In Pacific Islands, the petals are used in salad whereas in India are used as shoe shine. Wow!!! Such a wonder for such a little flower :)

Lovely flower pots at San Remo, Italy in October 2006

Personally, I believe that flowers emit aura & increase the positive energy. In Malaysia, many of us especially the Malays will perform mandi bunga (flowers bathing) regularly or at least once in their life time which is a day before their wedding ceremony. It was believed that flowers hold mystical powers that can enhance ones beauty naturally. For Chinese, they believe that peony is the flower fairies or king of flowers in which will bring luck & prosperity if it is hung in the house or office. Whereas for Indians, they will use flower garlands as part of the wedding ritual in exchanging the garlands between bride & groom. Also never give frangipani or white flowers to Indian community as they are are used at funerals only.

Giant flowers at Disneyland Hong Kong in March 2008

So many occasions in life that involve flowers like weddings, birthdays, funerals, dinners and many more which I feels that flowers play an important in our life. Flowers make us happy, cheerful & calm. Appreciate gardens that blooms with colorful flowers. Smells the flowers whenever you can. Decorate your living hall with fresh flowers. You will see the difference....its the flower power!!!