- 06/04/2020
The parasol flowers of Nguyen Dynasty Emperor Minh Mang are in full bloom all over the Imperial City of Hue, Vietnam's ancient capital.
Parasol trees have shed their leaves behind Thai Hoa Palace and now brag with their vibrant baby pink blooms, softening the sharp edges of nearby houses.
The shedding of parasol tree leaves in former times signaled the coming of fall. Oddly enough, parasol flowers defiantly bloom in the Imperial City of Hue at the end of spring into the beginning of summer. The ngo dong flowers of the citadel reveal a darker, more dazzling tint this year compared with previous years.
Parasol flowers attract many visitors to the Imperial City, with its distinctive color and eye-catching shape. However, this year, as the historic attraction briefly closes to help control the coronavirus pandemic, few tourists will get an opportunity to ponder the blossoms.
In the 19th century, King Minh Mang (ruling 1820-1841) directed his subordinates to bring back seeds from China for the parasol crop. The Thai Hoa Palace grounds, the front yard of Can Chanh Palace and other significant spots were first chosen for seed planting
The flower, closely associated with the second emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, was engraved on Nhan Dinh, a copper cauldron dedicated to Minh Mang in front of the ancestral temple The Mieu.
Parasol flowers exude a light pink-purple tint which creates a unique sight. The color of these blooms indicates the purple typical ao dai costume which is a signature of Hue ladies, according to locals.
Ngo dong flowers branches give a slight pink to the imperial landscape and complement the coiled dragon on the Thai Hoa Palace wall.
Under the shadow of sunset a parasol tree is blossoming.
Source : https://bit.ly/2JI4Nnc