Why is the Frangipani flower both beautiful and fragrant but is often only planted in temples, pagodas, and public spaces, with few people planting it in front of their homes?
In our country, the Frangipani tree (also known as the plumeria or white temple flower) is commonly planted in temples and pagodas, as well as many areas in the plains and mountains due to its beautiful shape and fragrant flowers. This plant prefers sunlight, is drought-resistant, and requires minimal care; the larger it grows, the more flowers it produces. Despite being quite beloved, the Frangipani is often not planted in front of homes and mainly appears in public spaces.
Why is the Frangipani rarely planted in front of homes?
The Frangipani tree holds a sacred significance in Buddhist culture and is often planted in historical sites, temples, and shrines, most commonly in the front or on either side of these sites, rarely in the back. The Frangipani is regarded as possessing an otherworldly beauty; when the leaves fall, clusters of flowers remain high above, enhancing the sense of sanctity in the ambiance of traditional religious architecture.
The Frangipani is considered a divine tree, embodying the spirit of heaven and earth. Folklore suggests that this tree has the ability to draw energy from the sky down to the earth and water, facilitating a fulfilled life. In many cultures, the Frangipani carries sacred meaning. For instance, in India, Frangipani flowers are often woven into garlands during weddings to symbolize blessings of happiness. In Laos, this flower represents joy and sincere happiness…
In Vietnam, the Frangipani is closely associated with religious structures such as temples and pagodas, leading people to feel that this tree is more suitable for those sacred places. Folklore often holds that trees from temples should not be brought home, resulting in a cultural belief against planting Frangipani in private residences.
Frangipani flowers are beautiful, yet many avoid planting them in front of their homes.
Although commonly planted in temples and shrines, the Frangipani is also rarely used for incense offerings. The reason is that this flower has a quite strong fragrance, which can create discomfort and fatigue in worship spaces. Similarly, other flowers with overly strong scents are often avoided for offerings.
Some opinions suggest that the Frangipani is not used for incense offerings also because its appearance when in full bloom is not considered delicate or elegant.
Common plants that are often avoided in front of homes
Not only the Frangipani, but ancient people also generally avoided planting the following types of trees in front of their homes:
Willow tree: In Chinese, “willow” is pronounced similarly to “liú,” which means “to flow away.” Therefore, folklore suggests that planting a willow tree in front of the house symbolizes financial loss and family misfortune. Additionally, the melancholic and fragile image of the willow is often associated with women who have unfortunate fates.
Mulberry tree: “Tang” refers to the mulberry tree in Chinese; it sounds the same as “tang” in “mourning,” leading many to avoid planting this tree in front of their homes to prevent misfortune.
Jackfruit tree: Folklore often says, “The jackfruit tree has ghosts, the banyan tree has spirits.” Feng shui practitioners believe that the jackfruit tree attracts many negative energies and is a dwelling place for many souls. Therefore, ancient people often avoided planting jackfruit in front of their homes due to concerns about the health of family members.
Banyan tree: Since ancient times, the banyan tree has been known as a very sacred tree, often planted in shrines or at the village entrance to provide shelter for deities. The banyan tree is believed to contain a large source of energy, making the front of a private home an unsuitable location for planting. Moreover, the banyan tree’s extensive and deep root system and the litter from its fallen leaves can also cause hygiene concerns.
