Best time to travel to Myanmar

Padauk Blossom in Myanmar

They say that under this tree Tissa Buddha himself was enlightened, and now it is a national symbol of the country

Best time: mid-April

The padauk is a sacred flower honored in the culture of Myanmar. It can be seen flowering during the celebration of the Thingyan festival (Burmese New Year), usually around mid-April. You'll find this holiday symbol in big cities such as Yangon or Mandalay, as well as any other bigger or smaller town or village. The flowers decorate all public places, temples, houses, and even vehicles. The Myanmar people carry gold flowers to the Buddha statues and other revered shrines. During the celebrations, people present gifts in the form of flower petals in a silver bowl to their deities. They also present flower necklaces to travelers showing hospitality and goodwill.

Even outside of the Thingyan festivities, the padauk remains an integral part of local culture. It is a favorite flower of poets and artists. According to a legend, the padauk flower symbolizes youth and love, strength, longevity, and success. Bouquets of the padauk are given to young girls as a token of love confession. Local women wear necklaces of padauk blooms as decoration. At last, the flower is often depicted on pottery and ceramics or sculpted in stone. Thus, the plant has long become a part of everyday life in Myanmar.

Practical info

What is the time the padauk blossom flowers occur in Myanmar?

Mid-April marks the annual blossoming of the Padauk flowers in Myanmar. This favorable month also coincides with the Thingyan festival, which serves as a celebration of the Burmese New Year. Padauk flowers will proliferate in all corners of the country during this event, showcasing the beauty, strength, and longevity they symbolize. The blooming season for the flowers, however, may vary from one area to another in Myanmar, providing photography opportunities for tourists and locals alike who do not follow the Thingyan festival. Show more

What are the different locations where visitors can see the padauk blossom during the Thingyan festival?

Myanmar is an excellent venue to witness the Padauk flowers' magnificence as they bloom in multiple places in the country during the Thingyan festival. It is a national celebration that lands every middle of April featuring traditional activities and water splashing. Streets, houses, vehicles, and even temples and monasteries across the country have floral decorations during this event. Apart from cities like Yangon and Mandalay, towns and villages from remote areas of the country participate in the festivities and display the precious Padauk blossoms. Show more

What is the Burmese cultural significance of Padauk blossoms?

The Padauk flower is an essential symbol in Myanmar's culture as it represents the country's national identity. The Burmese folklore believes that the Tissa Buddha obtained enlightenment underneath this tree. The flower possesses virtues such as love, youth, power, longevity, and success. Myanmar people give golden flowers as offerings to Buddha statues and blessed shrines as a religious tradition. This flower also serves as a mark of hospitality, usually presented as a necklace of flowers, and is a favored subject in Burmese art, acting as a muse for writers and artists in different works of art. Show more

What are the ways to celebrate Thingyan with Padauk flowers like the locals?

Padauk flowers play an essential role when celebrating Thingyan festivals in Myanmar. It is customary for Myanmar locals to bring golden flowers to the celebration, offering them to Buddha statues and holy shrines. The locals also give flower necklaces to their guests as a welcome tradition. During the festival, people splash water on each other, symbolizing self-purification and renewing their hope towards the new year. Food, music, parades, and dances are traditional activities done during the festival. The Padauk flowers, which decorate the area, add a natural touch to the festive atmosphere. Show more

Where are the different areas where Padauk flowers thrive in Myanmar outside the festival season?

Myanmar's Padauk flowers continue to bloom and therefore flourish outside of the Thingyan festival period. Locals continuously incorporate the flowers in their daily routine and cultural practices. The remnants of the flowers in shrines and homes are also evident in the country. Myanmar women decorate themselves with necklaces made of Padauk flowers, adding an ornamental touch to their attire. The flower's importance in Burmese art is prominent in ceramics, sculptures, and stone-carvings, beautifully reflecting the cultural values of love, power, and longevity associated with the Padauk flower. Show more

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Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin