Kimjongilia
For the documentary film, see Kimjongilia (film).
| Begonia 'Kimjongilhwa' | |
|---|---|
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| Genus | Begonia |
| Cultivar group | Tuberhybrida Group |
| Cultivar | 'Kimjongilhwa' |
| Kimjongilia | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 김정일화 |
|---|---|
| Hancha | 金正日花 |
| Revised Romanization | Gimjeongilhwa |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kimjŏngirhwa |
Kimjongilia is a flower named after the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. It is a hybrid cultivarof tuberous begonia, registered as Begonia ×tuberhybrida 'Kimjongilhwa'.[1] When Kim Jong-ildied in December 2011 the flower was used to adorn his corpse for public display.[2] Despite its name, the Kimjongilia is not the national flowerof North Korea, which is the magnolia.[3] Another flower, Kimilsungia, is an orchid cultivar named after Kim Jong-il's father and predecessor, Kim Il-sung.
History[edit]
To commemorate Kim Jong-il's 46th birthday in 1988, Japanese botanistKamo Mototeru cultivated a new perennial begonia named "kimjongilia" (literally, "flower of Kim Jong-il"), representing the Juche revolutionary cause of the Dear Leader.[4] It was presented as a "token of friendship between Korea and Japan".[5] The flower symbolizes wisdom, love, justice and peace. It is designed to bloom every year on Kim Jong-il's birthday, February 16.[6]
Bloom[edit]
On October 21, 2008, the Korean Central News Agency announced a preservation agent had been developed that would allow the flower to keep in bloom for longer periods of time.[7]
Song[edit]
A song composed by several North Korean composers, also called "Kimjongilia", was written about the flower:[8]
The red flowers that are blossoming over our land
Are like hearts: full of love for the leader
Our hearts follow the young buds of Kimjongilia
Oh! The flower of our loyalty!
Are like hearts: full of love for the leader
Our hearts follow the young buds of Kimjongilia
Oh! The flower of our loyalty!
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