National Flower of the Republic of China

Plum blossom (梅花)

The Chinese Taipei Olympic flag uses a plum blossom design.

The National Flower of the Republic of China was officially designated as the plum blossom by the Executive Yuan of the Republic of China on July 21, 1964.^[1] The plum blossom, known as the meihua (Chinese: 梅花; pinyin: méihuā), is symbol for resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity, because plum blossoms often bloom most vibrantly even amidst the harsh winter snow.^[2][3] The three stamens represents Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People, while the five petals symbolize the five branches of the government: Executive Yuan, Legislative Yuan, Judicial Yuan, Examination Yuan and Control Yuan.^[1][3] The flower has also been proposed to be one of the national flowers for the People's Republic of China.^[4]

See also

• Prunus mei
• Flag of the Republic of China
• Republic of China
• National symbols of the Republic of China

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Government Information Office, Republic of China - National Flower
2. ^ "The Three Friends of Winter: Paintings of Pine, Plum, and Bamboo from the Museum Collection". Taipei: National Palace Museum (國立故宮博物院). http://www.npm.gov.tw/exh91/3friends/english/infor.htm. Retrieved 31 July 2011. 
3. ^ ^{a b} National Flag, Anthem and Flower
4. ^ *People's Daily Online -- Plum blossom, peony proposed to be national flowers