Les fleurs dans la culture khmere

Abstract

While we are well informed on the relations between flowers and society in the world greatest civilizations, we know very little about the culture of flowers in «minor» communities. This article attempts to enlarge the research-field, hence our general knowledge, focussing on Cambodia, a country that I know best, not only in Modem times but also through ancient documents, mainly epigraphy. Flower has been closely linked with Khmer society since the beginning of history, in every walk of life. It has stood as «vegetable» in its own right beside other parts of plants. It has served as a messenger between men and the supra-natural world, bearing the homage of the former to the latter. It has inspired countless artists and poets, as illustrated in art, literature, folklore and music, on two fronts: a) it equates with «woman», sharing with her both defects and virtues, and even vocabulary, and b) it is a ritual instrument, the most famous example being the Lotus.