The Sampaguita Flower: Its Meanings & Symbolism

The sampaquita flower is a tropical flower that grows wild throughout southern Asia and the South pacific. It produces waxy white flowers and glossy green foliage on climbing vines. The attractive blooms and heady fragrance has made this a popular flower for garland making, adorning the hair or in floral arrangements.

 What Does the Sampaguita Flower Mean?

• Love

• Fidelity

• Devotion

• Dedication

• Purity

• Divine Hope

The sampaguita flower is considered the flower of love in many South Asian countries, Indonesia and the Philippines. It is used in wedding and religious ceremonies to symbolize love, devotion, purity and divine hope.

Etymological Meaning of the Sampaguita Flower

Sampaguita is the common for ‘Jasminum sambac’, a flower in the same family as the common jasmine (Jasminum grandiflores). Sampaguita is also referred to as the Philippine Jasmine or Arabian Jasmine. It differs from the common jasmine in that it grows on an evergreen vine, while many common jasmine grow on smaller shrubs or bushes. The flowers and the fragrance are similar.

Symbolism of the Sampaguita Flower

The sampaquita flower has a long history as a symbol of love and devotion. In fact, in Indonesia, sampaquita garlands were often exchanged as a symbol of love with the intention of marriage. While garlands are still used in wedding and religious ceremonies today, most couples also exchange rings.The sampaquita flower is the National Flower for both Indonesia and the Philippines.

Sampaguita Flower Color Meanings

Sampaquita flowers have white petals with a soft yellow center and take on the color meaning of other flowers.

White

•  Purity

•  Innocence

•  Reverence

•  Humility

Yellow

• Happiness

•  Joy

•  Friendship

•  New Beginnings