Our bold and beautiful red Bunga Raya

Bunga Raya © Adrian Cheah

Let us pause for a moment and look at the name of Malaysia's national flower – Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. The English word “hibiscus” derives from the Greek word “hibiskos.” The flower received its name from the renowned physician Pedanius Dioscorides (c. 40 – 90 AD). He was the author of "De Materia Medica", a 5-volume Greek encyclopedia about herbal medicine and related medicinal substances. Dioscorides was also a botanist.

Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in his taxonomy – "Species Plantarum" (Species of Plants) describes the hibiscus in depth in the book. Linnaeus gave it the name "hibiscus" in 1753. He named the red double flower "Hibiscus rosa-sinensis", the first recorded document we have using that name. "Sinensis" in Latin means "Chinese".

Bunga Raya © Adrian Cheah

The exact origin of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is unknown, although it has been cultivated in East Asia especially in China, Japan and the Pacific islands for a long time. Wherever it originated from, it was introduced to Europe by explorers in the 1700s and was later imported to Europe from China. It is the parent of the modern hibiscus, whose species still bears its name.

Bunga Raya

The top flower on the left selected as our national flower is a hybrid, crossed off any of the eight original native species of the hibiscus. Although different varieties of the modern hibiscus are all versions of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, the truth is that they are all a mix of several species. But Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is actually the correct name of one of the original species plants (the photo on the right). It belongs to the Malvaceae family.

In the Western world, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is also known as the China Rose, Chinese Hibiscus, Sorrel, Rose Mallow, shoe flower and even titled as Queen of Tropical Flowers. It is called "Sembaruthi" in Tamil, "Gumamela" in Tagalog and in Indonesia, it is known as “Kembang Sepatu” which literally means “Shoe Flower” (the petals can be used to shine leather shoes).

Bunga Raya © Adrian Cheah

In Malaysia, we call it Bunga Raya. In Malay, "bunga" means "flower" while "raya" means “celebration.” Thus, Bunga Raya translates to “celebratory flower”. Today, Bunga Raya has become a distinct symbol of Malaysia.

So how did we crown the vibrant red Hibiscus rosa-sinensis as our national flower? Well, the story unfolds in the wake of Malaysia's independence in 1957. As the newly-liberated Malaya sought to establish its unique identity and represent the celebration of unity within a multi-cultural nation, the need for a national flower emerged.

In 1958, the Ministry of Agriculture sought proposals for a national flower from all state governments. Seven flowers were proposed including Hibiscus (Bunga Raya), Jasmine (Bunga Melur), Lotus (Bunga Teratai), Magnolia (Bunga Cempaka), Medlar (Bunga Tanjung), Rose (Bunga Mawar) and Ylang Ylang (Bunga Kenanga). The east coast states of the country preferred the rose and the west coast was happy with the jasmine.

Bunga Raya © Adrian Cheah

On 28 July 1960, after much consideration, the then Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj declared Hibiscus rosa-sinensis to be the national flower. The announcement was made public during the officiating of the Malayan Agro-Horticultural Association's (MAHA) exhibition at the Selangor Turf Club.

The reasons cited included that Bunga Raya was a well-recognisable flower among the locals. The strong red colour which out-matched the colours of its competitors is the colour of life, joy, splendour and above all, courage. The five prominent petals of the flower are wide and simply beautiful. The five petals represent the five Rukun Negara (National Principles) of Malaysia. I can still vividly remember reciting the pledge in school. Moreover, it blooms throughout the year and is non-seasonal. Suited for our climate, the plant can be grown easily, just from branch cuttings of the tree and it requires little maintenance.

Bunga Raya © Adrian Cheah

Bunga Raya holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Malaysia. The image of the flower is imprinted on Malaysian currency as well as stamps and commemorative minted coins.

Bunga Raya © Adrian Cheah

Bunga Raya © Adrian Cheah

Since then, the hibiscus has inspired the logos for numerous significant events and initiatives, such as the Kuala Lumpur 98 XVI Commonwealth Games and Visit Truly Asia Malaysia 2020 campaign. The flower is also part of the Tourism Malaysia, National Mark of Malaysian Brand and Management and Science University logos to name a few.

Annually, the prestigious Prime Minister’s Hibiscus Award serves as a platform for acknowledging and honouring the environmental achievements and leadership of businesses and industries. Beyond recognition, this award plays a crucial role in fostering environmental consciousness and contributing to the betterment of Malaysia's ecological landscape. The hibiscus, through its symbolism, is instrumental in promoting these endeavours for a greener Malaysia.

Even Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson has a hibiscus-inspired architecture design spread across a secluded coastline. 

Bunga Raya © Adrian Cheah

Bunga Raya © Adrian Cheah

During the Merdeka celebrations, along with the Malaysian flag, schools and buildings are also plastered with cloth streamers adorned with the National Flower. From logos to architecture, from Hawaiian shirts and kebaya motifs to nouvelle cuisine, the humble Bunga Raya has seamlessly integrated itself into every facet of Malaysian culture.

The Hibiscus is a much sought-after choice for national flowers around the world as well. Hibiscus syriacus is South Korea’s national flower and the Yellow Hibiscus is Hawaii’s state flower. It is also the unofficial national flower of Haiti locally called Rose Cayenne in the Haitian language. The hibiscus's widespread recognition is a testament to its universal allure and symbolic significance.

Bunga Raya © Adrian Cheah

Entopia, located in Teluk Bahang started off as a butterfly farm and today has tripled its original size. Within its atrium, one can observe how much butterflies love the sweet nectar of the hibiscus. Bees and nectarivore birds including hummingbirds also frequent the hibiscus for nectar. Entopia is a lovely place to visit not just for tourists but for nature enthusiasts as well to enjoy the captivating display of the intricate relationships between flora and fauna, with the hibiscus as a vital hub for these interactions.

Bunga Raya © Adrian Cheah

In July 2017, I visited GK Organic Farm for a tour including a buffet luncheon. The delicious buffet spread was visually arresting as the chef added flowers such as the hibiscus into the dishes. The salads coloured with vibrant flower petals were full of flavours and truly scrumptious. It was such a satisfying treat!

In Jamaica and Mexico, the hibiscus tea is a common health known for its potential to lower high blood pressure. The tea is packed with a rich content of citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, and its very own unique hibiscus acid (allo-hydroxycitric acid lactone).

If you have a hibiscus bush in your garden, try making some fresh Hibiscus tea. Simply gather around 10 red petals and place them in a teapot. Pour hot over the petals and stir for about five minutes. As the tea infuses, its colour will turn dark red, almost burgundy. Discard the petals and add sugar to taste. Then add some lemon juice into the tea and you will be amazed that the colour will instantly turn a bright red. Garnish it with a slice of lemon and enjoy a refreshing cup.

Bunga Raya © Adrian Cheah

A 2010 study published in the "Journal of Nutrition" found that consuming hibiscus tea lowered blood pressure in people at risk of high blood pressure and those with mildly high blood pressure. Well-established tea companies like Boh and Lipton have also added hibiscus tea to their list of flavours. Whether fresh or dried, try a cup today. However, to avoid potential side effects, drinking hibiscus tea in moderation is generally considered safe.

The hibiscus is also utilised for medicinal purposes throughout the four corners of the world. In India, Ayurveda physicians use it for ayurvedic and herbal medicines. All parts of the hibiscus plant are utilised including the leaves, flowers and even the roots to cure hair loss, headaches, colds, swelling, menstrual cramps, venereal disease, induce short-term infertility and stimulate menstruation. In the Philippines, the hibiscus root is used as an aperitif and tonic. Also, the Xhosa of South Africa dress septic wounds with hibiscus leaves. If you are interested to know more about Hibiscus in the field of medicine, go online and read research studies carried out on it. You might be surprised by your findings.

The hibiscus has both male and female parts on the same flower. The five hairy red spots on the top of the flower from the stigma (female part) of the flower. The stigma is located at the end of the style branch. The male part (stamen) of the flower consists of stem-like filaments and each filament ends with the pollen-producing anther.

Bunga Raya © Adrian Cheah

Bunga Raya © Adrian Cheah

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is polyploidy, in which there are more than two complete sets of chromosomes, unlike most other species. Here, the offspring may be quite different from the parent, allowing possibly random expression of all (or any) of the characteristics of the generations that have gone before. Thus there are countless varieties and colours of exotic blooms in the hibiscus family. This beautiful and unique characteristic of the Bunga Raya Raya serves as a perfect reflection of the rich multi-cultural fabric of Malaysia that we should cherish and hold dearly in our hearts.

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Written and photographed by Adrian Cheah
© All rights reserved
30 August 2019