Indonesian floral emblems areIndonesian endemic flora that gain the status as national animal symbol that representIndonesia and describe Indonesianbiodiversity. Next to national floral symbols, there are also more specificprovincial floral emblems that represent each respectiveprovinces of Indonesia.
In addition, Indonesia also recognisedTeak as the national tree.
There are three categories offloral emblem that symbolise Indonesia:
Melati putih (jasminum sambac), a small white flower with sweet fragrance, has long been considered as a sacred flower inIndonesian 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,[4] the importance ofJasminum 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 ofjasminum 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 ofJava.[5] Jasmine flower buds that haven't fully opened are usually picked to create strings of jasmine garlands calledroncen melati. On wedding days, a traditionalJavanese orSundanese bride's hair is adorned with strings of jasmine garlands arranged as a hairnet to cover thekonde (hair bun). The intricately intertwined strings of jasmine garlands are left to hang loose from the bride's head. The groom'skris is also adorned with five jasmine garlands calledroncen usus-usus (intestine garlands) to refer its intestine-like form and also linked to the legend ofArya Penangsang. In Makassar andBugis 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 amongBalineseHindu, 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 fallenmelati often hailed as the representation of fallen heroes that sacrificed their life for the country. TheIsmail Marzuki's patriotic song"Melati di Tapal Batas" (jasmine on the border) (1947) andGuruh Sukarnoputra's"Melati Suci" (sacred jasmine) (1974) clearly refer jasmine as the representation of fallen heroes, the eternally fragrance flower that adornedIbu Pertiwi (Indonesiannational 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 andTitan arum were chosen to demonstrate uniqueness andIndonesian floral biodiversity.
Each of the 34provinces of Indonesia also have native plants used as floral emblems. This is a list of Indonesianfloral emblems representing the provinces.