5 Meaningful Flowers to Send Your Mother on Thailand’s National Mother’s Day
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In Thailand, Mother’s Day is celebrated every year on August 12, in honor of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother. More than just a public holiday, this occasion is deeply emotional and symbolic for Thai families. It is a day when children express their heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to their mothers — often with gifts, heartfelt words, and most traditionally, flowers.
Whether you're a Thai living abroad or an international friend with a mother figure in Thailand, sending a thoughtful bouquet is a timeless gesture of love and respect. But what kind of flowers best represent this sentiment? Here are five flowers commonly associated with Thai Mother’s Day, each carrying a special meaning that resonates with the occasion.
1. Jasmine – Purity and a Mother’s Love
In Thai culture, jasmine (dok mali) is the most iconic flower of Mother’s Day. With its delicate white petals and sweet, calming fragrance, jasmine symbolizes pure, unconditional love — much like the love of a mother. It also represents gentleness, respect, and spiritual grace. Traditionally, Thai children offer garlands of jasmine to their mothers as a sign of devotion and gratitude.
2. Carnation – Deep Affection and Enduring Care
Carnations, particularly in soft shades of pink, have long been associated with motherhood around the world. They symbolize deep affection, care, and enduring love. A bouquet of carnations is a gentle yet powerful way to acknowledge a mother's constant support and warmth. For Thai families who wish to blend local and global traditions, carnations are a lovely complement to jasmine or other native blooms.
3. Orchid – Elegance, Strength, and Admiration
Orchids are highly revered in Thailand — not only for their beauty but also for their symbolism. In the context of Mother's Day, orchids stand for elegance, strength, and admiration. They are often given to express high regard and appreciation for a mother's role and resilience. With their long-lasting blooms and graceful form, orchids embody the dignified presence that many mothers carry throughout their lives.
4. Hydrangea – Understanding and Gratitude
Hydrangeas are becoming increasingly popular in modern floral arrangements for Mother’s Day. Their soft, clustered blooms convey gratitude, emotional understanding, and heartfelt sincerity. With hues ranging from pale blue to soft lavender and blush pink, hydrangeas speak to the emotional depth between mother and child — including those unspoken yet profoundly felt connections that last a lifetime.
5. White Rose – Honor, Respect, and Pure Love
In many cultures, the white rose represents purity, reverence, and deep emotional respect. Giving white roses on Mother’s Day is a way of honoring not only your mother's nurturing presence but also her integrity and sacrifices. Their elegant simplicity and symbolism make them a thoughtful and timeless choice — especially for those who value grace over grandeur.
A Thoughtful Gesture, No Matter the Distance
Sending flowers to your mother in Thailand, even if you're far away, is a meaningful act that bridges any physical distance. Whether you’re a Thai expat living overseas or a non-Thai who wants to honor a maternal figure in Thailand, choosing a flower with symbolic significance adds another layer of depth to your gift.
Each bloom carries more than color and fragrance — it carries a message from the heart, an expression of all the things we often find hard to say out loud: “Thank you,” “I love you,” “I see you,” “I’m grateful for you.”
Final Thoughts
On this upcoming Thai Mother’s Day, consider what you’d like your bouquet to say — not just through your choice of flowers, but through the care and thought behind it. Whether it's the timeless jasmine or a bouquet of white roses, the flower you choose can become a memorable and emotional bridge between you and your mother, no matter the miles between you.
After all, love travels beautifully — especially when carried by flowers.