THE SIGNIFICANCE AND SYMBOLISM OF RATCHAPHRUEK FLOWERS

Thai name: Ratchaphruek
Common name: The Golden Shower Tree Scientific name: Cassia fistula L.
The Golden Shower Tree is also known by its less familiar common names including “purging cassia”, “pudding pipe tree” and “Indian laburnam”.

In Thailand, ‘Ratchaphruek’ -- the Golden Shower Tree (Cassia Fistula L.), is considered to be an auspicious tree.
The dazzling yellow flowers signify two out of the three most important institutions of the Thai nation – the national religion, Buddhism, and His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej who was born on Monday. Yellow is the color associated with Monday.
The shape of the pollen resembles the Thai numeral for nine; another fascinating characteristic that is symbolic of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX, the ninth ruler of the illustrious Chakri dynasty. Given these many auspicious associations, the bright and cheerful yellow blossoms of the Ratchaphruek tree have been the inspiration for the name and logo of Thailand’s first International Horticultural Exposition for His Majesty the King -- Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006.