Indonesian national floral emblems[edit]

There are three categories of floral emblem that symbolise Indonesia:

1. National flower (Indonesian: Puspa bangsa) of Indonesia is Melati

putih (Jasminum sambac)[citation needed]
2. Flower of charm (Indonesian: Puspa pesona) is Anggrek Bulan (Moon Orchid)
(Phalaenopsis amabilis))[1]
3. Rare flower (Indonesian: Puspa langka) is Padma Raksasa Rafflesia (Rafflesia
arnoldii). All three were chosen on World Environment Day in 1990.[2] On the
other occasion Bunga Bangkai (Titan arum) was also added as puspa
langka together with Rafflesia.
Melati putih (jasminum sambac), a small white flower with sweet fragrance, has long
been considered as a sacred flower in Indonesian tradition, as it symbolises purity,
sacredness, graceful simplicity and sincerity. Although the official adoption were
announced only as early as 1990 during World Environment Day and enforced by law
through Presidential Decree (Keputusan Presiden) No. 4 1993,[3] the importance
of Jasminum sambac in Indonesian culture predates its official adoption. Since the
formation of Indonesian republic during the reign of Sukarno, melati putih is always
unofficially recognised as the national flower of Indonesia. The reverence and the
elevated status of this flower mostly due to the importance of jasminum sambac in
Indonesian tradition since ancient times.
Melati putih is also the most important flower in wedding ceremonies for ethnic
Indonesians, especially in the island of Java.[4] Jasmine flower buds that haven't fully
opened are usually picked to create strings of jasmine garlands called roncen melati.
On wedding days, a traditional Javanese or Sundanese bride's hair is adorned with
strings of jasmine garlands arranged as a hairnet to cover the konde (hair bun). The
intricately intertwined strings of jasmine garlands are left to hang loose from the bride's
head. The groom's kris is also adorned with five jasmine garlands called roncen usus-
usus (intestine garlands) to refer its intestine-like form and also linked to the legend
of Arya Penangsang. In Makassar and Bugis brides, the hair is also adorned with buds
of jasmine that resemble pearls. Jasmine is also used as floral offerings for spirits and
deities especially among Balinese Hindu, and also often present during funerals.
The jasmine has wide spectrums in Indonesian traditions; it is the flower of life, beauty
and festive wedding, yet it is also often associated with spirit and death. In Indonesian
patriotic songs and poems, the fallen melati often hailed as the representation of fallen
heroes that sacrificed their life for the country. The Ismail Marzuki's patriotic
song "Melati di Tapal Batas" (jasmine on the border) (1947) and Guruh
Sukarnoputra's "Melati Suci" (sacred jasmine) (1974) clearly refer jasmine as the
representation of fallen heroes, the eternally fragrance flower that adorned Ibu
Pertiwi (Indonesian national personification).
The other two national flowers were chosen for different reasons. Moon Orchid was
chosen for its beauty, while the other two rare flowers, Rafflesia arnoldii and Titan
arum were chosen to demonstrate uniqueness and Indonesian floral biodiversity.