The Scented Legacy of Honam’s Plum Blossoms

Narrative

In the Jeolla-do and Gwangju region of Korea, there are five particularly treasured plum trees which are known collectively as the “Five Plum Trees of the Honam Region.” These include the Hwaeommae Plum of Hwaeomsa Temple in Gurye, the Seonammae Plum of Seonamsa Temple in Suncheon, the Gobulmae Plum of Baegyangsa Temple in Jangseong, the Gyedangmae Plum of Jisil Village in Damyang, and the Plum of Chonnam National University. Among them, the Plum of Chonnam National University is believed to have been brought from the Ming dynasty in 1621 by Go Bu-cheon (1578-1636), the grandson of the righteous army leader Go Gyeong-myeong (1533-1592). Three of the trees are designated as Natural Monuments and are carefully preserved as part of the cultural and natural heritage of the region, while the other two remain closely tied to the daily life of their local communities. These trees not only mark the passage of seasons but also quietly carry the stories of their surroundings through time.