韩国赏花

South Koreans Enjoy Flowers

我们原本是不怎么爱花草的人,在爱花的国度韩国几年,不知不觉中增加了赏花的兴趣。韩国属温带,春夏秋冬,四季分明。夏天最热时,气温高达摄氏30多度,但到了冬天,风雪交加,最冷时气温降到零下十几度。每到这时,一些从热带或亚热带来的外交官见到我们,缩着肩膀,叫苦不迭。这种气候不怎么适于养花,但韩国人还是很爱花的。

South Korean people like flowers very much. There are few homes or offices without flowers, which reflects their substantial living standard and cultural level. Rose of Sharon, or hibiscus syriacus is their national flower. The flower looks simple and unadorned and has long florescence, symbolizing the national character of becoming more firm after going through a myriad ages of suffering. Korean people are especially fond of orchids. Furthermore, they appreciate sakura (cherry blossom) as enthusiastically as Japanese do. Every spring, most Korean people would either go out to admire flowers, or visit flower shows in the venues which are bustling with a multitude of visitors.