Sending Flowers in Asia: Flower Meanings, Etiquette and Taboos by Country

A bunch of flowers says a lot before anyone reads the card. Across Asia, it can say even more. The same white blooms that look fresh and elegant in a London or New York living room can mean mourning in Bangkok, Beijing or Seoul. A lucky number in one country is an unlucky one next door. Get it right and your flowers feel thoughtful and personal. Get it wrong and, at best, you cause a moment of awkwardness.

This guide walks you through flower meanings and gifting customs country by country, starting with our home, Thailand. It's written for anyone sending flowers to family, friends, partners or colleagues in Asia, whether you live here or you're ordering from the other side of the world.

Flower Meanings in Thailand: What to Send and What to Avoid

Flowers are part of everyday life in Thailand. You'll see them on spirit houses, on taxi dashboards, in temple offerings and in the hands of students paying respect to their teachers. Thais have a strong sense of what each flower is "for", so a little knowledge goes a long way.

Jasmine and Mother's Day in Thailand (12 August)

Jasmine (dok mali) is the flower of Thai mothers. Its small white blossoms stand for pure, gentle and lasting love, and its scent is one most Thais link with home and childhood.

Mother's Day in Thailand falls on 12 August, the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, and it's a public holiday. Children traditionally give their mothers jasmine, often as a garland, and kneel or wai to thank them. Since the Queen Mother's passing in October 2025, the day also carries a strong sense of remembrance. A jasmine garland, or a bouquet with white jasmine-style flowers plus a soft accent colour, is a lovely and respectful choice. Fresh jasmine is delicate and doesn't travel well, so order close to the day.

Phuang Malai: The Thai Jasmine Garland

A phuang malai is a hand-threaded garland, usually made of jasmine buds, rosebuds, marigolds and crown flowers (dok rak), finished with a tassel of ribbons and small blooms. Each one takes real skill to make.

Thais use phuang malai to show respect and good wishes. They're offered at shrines and Buddha images, hung in cars and taxis for protection, given to elders during Songkran (Thai New Year, 13 to 15 April), presented to teachers, and used to welcome honoured guests. A small jasmine garland is one of the most "Thai" gifts you can give.

Marigolds and Loy Krathong

The bright orange marigold (dao rueang) is a flower of offerings and good fortune. Its Thai name sounds like the word for "prosperous", which is why you'll see marigolds at shrines, in garlands and at blessings for new homes and businesses.

At Loy Krathong, held on the full moon of the twelfth Thai lunar month (24 November in 2026), people float small krathong made of banana leaf, decorated with marigolds, orchids, a candle and incense, on rivers and lakes. It's a gentle way to give thanks to the water and let go of bad luck. Marigolds are wonderful in this setting but a little unusual in a romantic bouquet, where they can feel more like a temple offering than a love note.

Lotus at the Temple

The lotus (dok bua) grows out of muddy water and opens clean and beautiful, which is why it's a symbol of purity and enlightenment in Buddhism. In Thailand, lotus buds are offered at temples, often with the outer petals carefully folded back. Lotus is perfect for merit-making, for a Buddhist ceremony or for an older relative who is devout. It's less common as a birthday or romantic gift.

Thai Funeral Flowers: Wreaths (Phuang Rit) and White Flowers

When someone passes away in Thailand, the funeral rites are usually held at a temple over several evenings, with chanting by monks before a cremation. Friends, family and colleagues send a funeral wreath, called a phuang rit. It's displayed at the temple with a ribbon or sash showing the sender's name, so it's a very visible way to show your respect and support for the family.

White is the traditional colour of mourning, so white chrysanthemums, lilies, orchids and roses are common in Thai funeral flowers. Today many wreaths also use soft colours, and some families prefer practical wreaths made with fabric, fans or towels that can later be donated. If you can't attend, a wreath with a short message of condolence is a respectful way to be present.

Valentine's Day and Romance

Valentine's Day is huge in Thailand, especially in cities. Red roses are the classic choice, and many couples choose 14 February to register their marriage. Prices and demand rise sharply in the days before, so order early.

The National Flower of Thailand

The national flower of Thailand is the ratchaphruek, or golden shower tree (Cassia fistula). Its hanging yellow blossoms appear in the hot season and are linked with the monarchy and good fortune. You won't usually find it in a bouquet, but yellow flowers in general carry warm, positive meanings in Thailand.

What to Avoid When Sending Flowers in Thailand

• An all-white arrangement for a happy occasion. White is beautiful, but on its own it can feel like a funeral. Add a touch of pink, yellow or green.

• Wreath-style or standing arrangements for anything other than a funeral or a grand opening.

• Marigolds or lotus in a romantic bouquet. They're lovely, but they belong to the temple.

• Very last-minute orders for 14 February and 12 August, when demand peaks.

Whether it's jasmine for Mother's Day, red roses for Valentine's or a wreath to show your respect, you can send a bouquet anywhere in Thailand with us, from Bangkok to the smallest provincial town.

China, Hong Kong and Taiwan: Chinese Flower Meanings

In Chinese culture, flowers are often chosen for what their names sound like or what they symbolise, not just for how they look.

Lucky colours and numbers. Red stands for luck and celebration, and gold or yellow for wealth. White and very pale arrangements are linked with mourning. The number 8 sounds like "prosper" and is very lucky. The number 4 sounds like "death", so avoid bouquets of four stems or four of anything. Many families prefer even numbers for happy gifts, because good things come in pairs.

Chinese New Year flowers. Lunar New Year flowers bring luck into the home for the year ahead. Popular choices include plum blossom (resilience), peach blossom (romance and long life), pussy willow (growth and prosperity), narcissus (good fortune), orchids (refinement and fertility), peonies (wealth and honour) and potted kumquat or mandarin trees (abundance). Chinese New Year plants like these are often more welcome than cut flowers because they keep growing through the festival.

Chinese funeral flowers. White and yellow chrysanthemums are the classic Chinese funeral flowers, also used at Qingming, the tomb-sweeping festival in April. The meaning of a white chrysanthemum in Asia is almost always mourning, so never send them to someone who is well or celebrating.

Weddings. Lilies are a favourite, as their Chinese name (bai he) echoes the phrase for "a hundred years of harmony". Red and pink roses and peonies are also popular.

Japan: Hanakotoba, the Japanese Language of Flowers

Japan has its own flower language, called hanakotoba, where each bloom carries a specific meaning. Cherry blossom (sakura) stands for gentleness and the beauty of fleeting moments. A red rose means love, as in the West, while a yellow rose can suggest jealousy. Red camellias stand for love, but their habit of dropping the whole flower head at once has made them unlucky for the sick.

Japanese funeral flowers. White chrysanthemums, lilies and white or pale arrangements are used for funerals and Buddhist memorials. The red spider lily (higanbana) blooms around the autumn equinox and is linked with death, so it's best left out of gifts.

Hospital visits. Avoid potted plants, as roots can suggest the illness "taking root". Many people also avoid strongly scented flowers and groups of four or nine, as 4 can be read as "death" and 9 as "suffering".

Key dates. Mother's Day falls on the second Sunday of May, and red carnations are the traditional gift.

South Korea: Korean Flower Etiquette

Korean funeral flowers. White chrysanthemums are the main funeral flower in Korea. At funeral halls you'll see tall standing wreaths, often in white and yellow, sent with a ribbon carrying the sender's name and message. Inside, mourners lay a single white chrysanthemum before the photo of the person who has died. Don't send white chrysanthemums for any other occasion.

Parents' Day and Teachers' Day. On 8 May, Parents' Day, children pin red carnations on their parents. On 15 May, Teachers' Day, students give carnations to their teachers. Carnations are deeply associated with gratitude in Korea.

Other tips. Avoid the number 4 and don't write a person's name in red ink on a card, as red ink was traditionally used for names of the dead. Graduations in February are a lovely occasion for colourful bouquets.

Vietnam: Vietnamese Women's Day and Tet Flowers

Vietnamese Women's Day (20 October). This is one of the busiest flower days of the year. Men give flowers to their wives, mothers, sisters, daughters and female colleagues. International Women's Day on 8 March is celebrated in much the same way. Roses, gerberas, sunflowers and mixed bright bouquets are all popular.

Tet flowers. During Tet, the Lunar New Year, homes in the north display branches of pink peach blossom (hoa dao), while families in the south choose yellow apricot blossom (hoa mai). Kumquat trees, marigolds, chrysanthemums and orchids are also traditional, all bringing luck and prosperity for the new year.

Lotus. The lotus is widely seen as Vietnam's national flower and stands for purity, calm and resilience.

Funerals and taboos. White flowers are for mourning, so avoid all-white bouquets for celebrations. Vietnamese Teachers' Day on 20 November is another big flower-giving date.

Local florists in Vietnam: for Hanoi, try Hoa Lang Thang, which takes orders in English. For Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon Flower Delivery delivers locally and across the country.

Singapore: Many Cultures, Many Customs

Singapore brings Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western traditions together, so it helps to know the recipient's background. For Chinese families, follow the Chinese customs above, especially around Chinese New Year and funerals, where white and yellow wreaths are sent to the wake. For Malay friends, Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a time for visiting, and flowers are welcome but not essential. For Indian families, Deepavali brings marigolds and jasmine. Grand opening flower stands, often in red and gold, are a big part of Singapore's business culture.

Singapore's national flower is a hybrid orchid, Vanda Miss Joaquim, and orchids make a stylish, long-lasting gift.

Local florists in Singapore: Far East Flora, a long-established Singapore florist, and Little Flower Hut, a homegrown local shop.

Malaysia: Flower Etiquette Across Communities

Malaysia's national flower is the hibiscus (bunga raya), and its red petals stand for courage and life. As in Singapore, customs depend on the community. Chinese Malaysians follow Chinese traditions for Lunar New Year and funerals. Indian Malaysians use jasmine and marigold garlands for Deepavali, weddings and prayers.

For Muslim Malay families, burial usually takes place very quickly, and funeral flowers aren't part of tradition. A visit, a kind message or food for the family is often more appropriate. The frangipani (bunga kemboja) is commonly planted in cemeteries and in Malay folklore is linked with ghosts, so it isn't a cheerful gift choice.

Local florists in Malaysia: Weng Hoa, a Kuala Lumpur florist since 1983, and Dear J Flower, a small studio in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.

Indonesia: Jasmine, Frangipani and Flower Boards

Indonesia has three national flowers: white jasmine (melati putih), the moon orchid (anggrek bulan) and the giant Rafflesia. Jasmine is central to traditional Javanese weddings, where strands of it are woven into the bride's hair and draped over the couple.

In Bali, you'll see canang sari everywhere: small daily offerings of palm-leaf trays filled with flowers such as frangipani and marigold. On Java, frangipani is often associated with cemeteries, so be thoughtful about where you use it.

Indonesia's most distinctive flower custom is the bunga papan, a large flower board with a written message. They line the street outside weddings, shop openings and funerals, and are sent to congratulate or to offer condolences. For Eid (Lebaran), hampers and flowers are both welcome.

Local florists in Indonesia: Sentra Bunga in South Jakarta and Shanti Flowers, with studios in Bali and Jakarta.

Laos: Champa and the Baci Ceremony

The national flower of Laos is the dok champa, or frangipani, a symbol of sincerity and joy that appears on everything from tourism posters to wedding decorations. Lao Buddhist customs are close to Thai ones: lotus and marigolds at temples, white flowers for mourning, and funeral rites at the temple.

Flowers also play a part in the baci (or sou khuan) ceremony, held for weddings, births, homecomings and Lao New Year (Pi Mai, in mid-April). A cone-shaped centrepiece, the pha khuan, is built from banana leaves and marigolds, and guests tie white strings around each other's wrists as a blessing. International Women's Day on 8 March is a public holiday in Laos and a popular day for flowers.

Local florists in Laos: Lao Flowers, a Vientiane-based florist that also covers several other cities, and Smile Flower shop in Vientiane, which works mainly through its Facebook page.

India: Marigolds, Jasmine and the Lotus

In India, flowers are woven into worship and celebration. Marigold garlands decorate homes, temples and weddings, especially at Diwali. Jasmine is worn in the hair, particularly in the south, and the lotus, India's national flower, is sacred in Hinduism and Buddhism. White flowers are used for mourning and memorials.

The Philippines: Sampaguita and Family Occasions

The national flower of the Philippines is sampaguita, a small white jasmine. Sampaguita garlands are given to welcome guests and honour graduates, and are sold outside churches. Flowers are a big part of Valentine's Day, Mother's Day (second Sunday of May) and Undas, when families visit loved ones' graves around 1 November. As elsewhere, all-white arrangements and wreaths are linked with funerals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are white flowers bad luck in Asia? Not bad luck, but in much of Asia, including Thailand, China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam, all-white arrangements are linked with funerals. For happy occasions, mix white with another colour.

What flowers do Thais give on Mother's Day? Jasmine. Thai children traditionally give their mothers jasmine flowers or a jasmine garland (phuang malai) on 12 August.

What should I send to a funeral in Thailand? A funeral wreath (phuang rit) sent to the temple where the rites are being held, with your name on the ribbon. White and soft-coloured flowers are the safe choice.

What does a white chrysanthemum mean in Asia? In China, Japan and Korea, the white chrysanthemum is mainly a funeral and memorial flower. Avoid giving it as a get-well or celebration gift.

What are the luckiest flowers for Chinese New Year? Plum and peach blossom, pussy willow, narcissus, orchids, peonies and kumquat trees are all popular. Choose red, gold and pink tones and avoid groups of four.

Can I send flowers to Thailand from abroad? Yes. Order online with a florist that delivers across Thailand, add a personal message, and allow extra time around Valentine's Day and Mother's Day.

Conclusion

Across Asia, flowers carry meaning: respect for elders, gratitude to mothers and teachers, hope for a lucky new year and quiet support in times of grief. You don't need to learn every rule. Remember a few basics, like going easy on all-white bouquets, avoiding the number four in China, Japan and Korea, and choosing jasmine for a Thai mother, and your flowers will be received as they were meant: with warmth.

If you're sending flowers anywhere in Thailand, we'd love to help you choose something that's just right for the person and the occasion.

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