The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Thu, June 30, 2022 | 08:00
Thoughts of the Times
Early spring visitor, red apricot flowers
Posted : 2022-03-24 17:00
Updated : 2022-03-24 13:51
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down

By Kim Jin-heon

Last mid-February, my Facebook friend introduced me to a church in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province which had red apricot trees over 100 years old that were in bloom. As I got to the church, the trees with mossy branches had flowers that looked withered by the cold weather, but some appeared fresh and fancy.

After my friends and I looked around the blossoms, we took pictures behind them and spent time fixing our eyes on each flower for a few minutes or so.

They were captivating and dignified. As I hoped to see more red apricot blossoms with my friends, I drove my car to Geumdun Temple, famous for early blossoming red apricot trees about 20 minutes away.

As we reached the temple, there were a few blooming trees. After exploring the trees, I found a sign on the wall on one building beside them. It said that a poet in A.D. 800 had praised the blooming trees.

The fragrance of blooming apricot trees is spreading everywhere even during the lunar December.

Flowers on the branches bloom sparsely, half of them lower their heads in cold weather. Snow on the flowers is melting, making them look new and decorated with tears.

Like that poet, many nobles have praised the blooming of the trees, by writing poems or drawing pictures of them, or making various handicrafts engraved with their image, together with orchids, chrysanthemums and bamboo since the Goryeo Kingdom.

In Confucian society during the Joseon Kingdom period, they symbolized fidelity, integrity and elegance, thus, nobles planted apricot trees in their yards. On the other hand, monks grew them in temple yards because they believed they could attain nirvana by observing the trees blooming in the cold weather.

Since the 19th century, ordinary people have preferred red apricot trees because they had various symbolic meanings such as, everlasting life in Taoism, or each flower representing the Buddha in Buddhism. In those days, an artist named Jo Hui-ryong expressed the message by drawing a picture called, "Two pictures of red apricot tree flowers." He said that if he drew more flowers on the paper, it meant more offerings to the Buddha.

Like Jo, artists adored the opening of red apricot trees by painting them on paper or cloth, whereas people showed their admiration by visiting the places that had them blooming around.

Seonnammae (red apricot blossoms) over 600 years old in Seonnam Temple in Suncheon, Gobulmae over 350 years old in Baekyang Temple in Jangseong county, and Hwaeommae over 400 or 300 years old were all designated as natural monuments because of their beauty known all over the country. Red and white apricot trees over 150 years old in South Jeolla Province are planted in many places luring travelers to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Due to their long history, the trees have a lot of moss on their branches, and some of their branches are dead, their flowers sparse. Nevertheless, their shapes and flowers call to visitors who are eager to have flowers even in cold weather or in snow. They represent the essence of life.

In South Jeolla province, from late February to late March, white and red apricot tree season begins and can be called a paradise of flowers. So, if you hope to refresh your mind, visit the area. The flowers will welcome you with immense pleasure.


The writer is working as a temporary teacher at Gwangyeong High School, Gwangyang County, South Jeolla Province after retiring this February. He published a book titled, "Flower Is Flower."



 
LG
LG
  • Bodies found in missing family's car in Wando
  • Korea looks to Europe to diversify trade partners as China's growth slows
  • How I lost my period after shooting my first 'body profile'
  • Luna collapse causes chaos
  • [INTERVIEW] 'Asia-Pacific region has potential to lead global decarbonization sector'
  • Yoon, first lady attend gala dinner hosted by King of Spain
  • Korea's first NATO summit to show expanded global role: experts
  • Inflation expectations in S. Korea hit 10-year high in June
  • Korea will stick to principles despite China's objection, PM says
  • South Korea's new COVID-19 cases back up over 10,000 after 20 days
  • [INTERVIEW] With unusual nicknames and backgrounds, MIRAE eyes becoming next big K-pop star [INTERVIEW] With unusual nicknames and backgrounds, MIRAE eyes becoming next big K-pop star
  • [INTERVIEW] Jean-Michel Othoniel's glass garden of enchantment 'is for everybody' [INTERVIEW] Jean-Michel Othoniel's glass garden of enchantment 'is for everybody'
  • Girl group aespa to perform in 'Good Morning America' 2022 Summer Concert Series Girl group aespa to perform in 'Good Morning America' 2022 Summer Concert Series
  • Park Hae-il 'honored' to play war hero Admiral Yi Sun-sin in 'Hansan' Park Hae-il 'honored' to play war hero Admiral Yi Sun-sin in 'Hansan'
  • BTS' J-Hope to prerelease 'More' Friday BTS' J-Hope to prerelease 'More' Friday
DARKROOM
  • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000 [PHOTOS]

    Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000 [PHOTOS]

  • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

  • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

  • Poor hit harder by economic crisis

    Poor hit harder by economic crisis

  • Roland Garros 2022

    Roland Garros 2022

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group