Which Korean Flower Are You?
Korean flower
Plum Blossom
매화 maehwa
First to bloom, while it's still cold.
Maehwa (매화), the plum blossom, is the first big bloom of the Korean year, opening in late winter and early spring while the air is still cold. Its small white or pink flowers stand for integrity and quiet courage.
It's you if…
- You start things before the conditions are perfect.
- You'd rather be honest and early than popular and late.
- You keep your word even when nobody would notice if you didn't.
The surprise
Plum-blossom people are wonderful at resting. You work hard in the cold months so you can do absolutely nothing in the warm ones.
Best matchChrysanthemumTwo of the Four Gentlemen — one braves the late frost, the other the early one.Worst matchCherry BlossomThey wait for perfect weather and a crowd; you bloomed alone in February.In Korean culture
In Korean painting, plum blossom is one of the Four Gentlemen (sagunja, 사군자) — plum, orchid, chrysanthemum and bamboo — each a symbol of a scholar's virtue. Plum orchards in the south, such as in Gwangyang, hold blossom festivals in March, and the fruit, maesil, becomes syrup and tea.
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Take the quizFrequently asked questions
When do plum blossoms bloom in Korea?
Usually from late February to March in the south, a little later further north — before most other spring flowers.
What are the Four Gentlemen in Korean art?
Sagunja (사군자) are plum blossom, orchid, chrysanthemum and bamboo, painted as symbols of a scholar's virtues.
What is maesil?
Maesil (매실) is the green plum fruit. Koreans make it into maesil-cheong, a sweet syrup used in drinks and cooking.
Bloom times and festival months are typical for South Korea and move a little every year with the weather. This is a personality quiz, not a birth-flower calendar.