The sampaguita is the national flower of the Philippines — a small, sweetly scented white jasmine strung into garlands and offered as a token of purity and devotion.

• National flower: The sampaguita
• Scientific name: Jasminum sambac
• Status: Official national flower (1934)
• Symbolism: purity, humility, and devotion

About Philippines’s national flower

The sampaguita, a variety of Arabian jasmine, was adopted as the national flower of the Philippines in 1934. Its tiny star-shaped white blooms open in the evening and release a strong, sweet fragrance. Vendors sell sampaguita garlands outside churches, and they are draped over religious images and honored guests.

Symbolism and tradition

The flower is tied to Filipino traditions of faith, hospitality, and respect, and it appears in songs and folklore across the islands.

National flower of Philippines FAQs

What is the national flower of Philippines?

The national flower of the Philippines is the sampaguita (Jasminum sambac), a small, fragrant white jasmine adopted as the national flower in 1934.

What does Philippines’s national flower represent?

The sampaguita symbolizes purity, humility, and devotion, and its garlands are given as a sign of respect and welcome.

What is sampaguita used for?

Sampaguita blooms are strung into fragrant garlands in the Philippines and used to honor guests, adorn religious images, and mark special occasions, symbolizing purity and devotion.

Explore more

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