Top 10 Popular Flowers in Bangladesh: Colors, Symbolism, and Cultural Meanings

(Posted on: 19-10-2025)

Top 10 Popular Flowers in Bangladesh: Colors, Symbolism, and Cultural Meanings

Flowers play a vital role in Bangladeshi life, from colorful festivals like Pohela Boishakh and weddings to everyday expressions of love and respect. In a country rich with rivers and lush landscapes, blooms like the national flower, Shapla, symbolize resilience and purity. Whether you're decorating for Eid, celebrating a birthday, or sending condolences, understanding flower colors and their meanings adds deeper sentiment to your choices. At Sonaliflora, Bangladesh's trusted online flower shop, we offer fresh, locally sourced and imported varieties to suit every occasion. 

Let's dive into the top 10 popular flowers in Bangladesh, exploring their common colors and the unique symbolism behind each shade.

1. Rose (Golap)

Roses are timeless favorites in Bangladesh, grown abundantly in regions like Jashore during winter. They're staples for Valentine's Day, weddings, and anniversaries, representing deep emotions and respect in Bengali culture.

  • Red: Symbolizes passionate love, romance, and devotion—perfect for expressing heartfelt affection.
  • White: Stands for purity, innocence, and condolences, often used in memorials or to show respect.
  • Pink: Represents admiration, gratitude, and grace, ideal for thanking loved ones or celebrating milestones.
  • Yellow: Conveys friendship, joy, and warmth, great for cheering up friends or family.

2. Jasmine (Mogra or Beli)

This fragrant flower blooms in warmer months and is deeply woven into Bangladeshi traditions, especially weddings where brides wear it in wreaths. Its scent evokes purity and devotion in religious ceremonies.

  • White: The most common color, symbolizing purity, dedication, and spiritual calm—often offered in temples or used in bridal decorations.
  • Yellow (rare variants): Represents happiness and new beginnings, adding a cheerful touch to festivals.

3. Marigold (Genda)

Bright and affordable, marigolds dominate Bangladeshi festivals like Pohela Falgun and religious pujas. Grown widely in winter, they bring vibrancy to stages, homes, and rituals, warding off evil and inviting prosperity.

  • Orange: Signifies energy, celebration, and protection—essential for auspicious events and good fortune.
  • Yellow: Symbolizes joy, optimism, and fresh starts, commonly used in Gaye Holud ceremonies for weddings.

4. Tuberose (Rajnigandha)

Known as the "flower of love," this night-blooming beauty with its enchanting aroma is a wedding essential in Bangladesh. Its long stems make it perfect for bouquets and decorations during evening events.

  • White: Represents elegance, innocence, and sensual romance—often adorning bridal rooms or given on romantic occasions.
  • Pink (variants): Conveys gentle affection and charm, adding a soft, loving vibe to gifts.

5. Water Lily (Shapla)

As Bangladesh's national flower, the Shapla thrives in ponds and rivers, embodying the nation's bond with water. It's used in religious offerings and even as a vegetable, symbolizing resilience amid adversity.

 

  • White: Stands for purity, peace, and holiness—ideal for spiritual rituals or expressing serenity.
  • Pink: Symbolizes gentle beauty and emotional depth, reflecting inner strength and grace.

6. Lotus (Padma)

Sacred in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, the lotus rises from muddy waters unstained, inspiring art and poetry in Bangladesh. It's a symbol of enlightenment and often featured in ceremonial gifts.

  • White: Represents spiritual purity, wisdom, and detachment from worldly troubles.

  • Pink: Conveys divine beauty, compassion, and enlightenment—perfect for meditative or religious contexts.

  • Red (rare): Symbolizes passion and heartfelt devotion in spiritual practices.

7. Sunflower (Surjomukhi)

These bold, sunny blooms are popular during spring events like Pohela Falgun, symbolizing positivity. In Bangladesh, they're also valued for oil production but shine as cheerful gifts.

 

  • Yellow: Stands for happiness, loyalty, and vitality—great for uplifting spirits or celebrating achievements.

  • Orange: Represents enthusiasm and warmth, evoking the sun's energy in festive arrangements.

8. Lily

Elegant and scented, lilies are imported for special occasions like Eid parties and weddings in Bangladesh. They add sophistication to bouquets but require care to avoid pollen stains.

  • White: Symbolizes purity, peace, and sympathy—commonly used in funerals or to convey love.

  • Pink: Conveys prosperity and admiration, ideal for birthdays or business gifts.

  • Yellow: Represents joy and new beginnings, bringing light to celebrations.

9. Gladiolus

Tall and striking, gladiolus spikes are inexpensive winter blooms in Bangladesh, often used in wreaths for national days or funerals. They stand tall, mirroring strength in tough times.

  • Red: Symbolizes passion and bravery, adding boldness to arrangements.

  • White: Stands for integrity and remembrance, suitable for memorials.

  • Pink: Represents compassion and gentleness in expressions of care.

  • Yellow: Conveys cheerfulness and friendship, brightening everyday gifts.

10. Chrysanthemum

These versatile, long-lasting flowers are winter staples for national holidays like Ekushey February. In Bangladesh, they're used in bouquets, stages, and memorials, blending vitality with remembrance.

  • White: Symbolizes loyalty, honesty, and condolence—often for honoring the departed.

  • Yellow: Represents life, optimism, and neglected love, adding warmth to tributes.

  • Red: Conveys deep love and passion, suitable for romantic or respectful gestures.

  • Pink: Stands for affection and longevity, perfect for family celebrations.

 

In Bangladesh, flowers aren't just beautiful—they carry stories of culture, emotion, and tradition. From the red rose's fiery passion to the white Shapla's serene purity, each bloom and shade tells a tale. Whether for a festival, wedding, or simple gesture, choosing the right flower enhances the message. Ready to bring these symbols home? Visit www.sonaliflora.com for fresh deliveries across Bangladesh, and let us help you express what's in your heart!