BUNGA TELUR (EGG FLOWER)

My mum and aunt love to get the bunga telur whenever they go with me to attend Malay weddings. So far they have two in their collections. It is usually during the bersanding ceremony that these flowers are given out to guests. If we are to arrive after it then - too bad.

I am pictured with the bunga telur or egg flower (literally translated) that I got when I attended my former student's wedding on Saturday.


For foreign visitors, the bunga telur is given during a Malay wedding. There are two basic designs for this wedding favour.

Here is information about them.

Basic Designs

1. Bunga telur berjoran -- Joran means fishing rod. A coloured boiled egg is attached to a thin "fishing rod" made of whittled bamboo. The tip of the "fishing rod" is decorated with flowers and pretty paper. Then the bunga telur is inserted into a huge pile of yellow glutinous rice to form a bouquet. This way, the host gives out one bunga telur with a handful of yellow glutinous rice.
2. Bunga telur beraga. Raga means basket. A coloured boiled egg is put inside a basket. The handle of the basket is decorated with flowers.
   

Symbolism of the bunga telur during Malay weddings.

1. Egg-- symbol of fertility that the couple be blessed with children.
2. Fishing rod-- symbol of a mast which is a place to raise a flag, and this is the flag of a Malay's life principles.
3. Decorative paper for the fishing rod-- symbol of the host's hope of maintaining a lifelong friendship with the guest.
4. Yellow glutinous rice--it is a way for the host to atone for mistakes that might occur during the feast.

Bunga telur is not only a gift of a Malay wedding. It is also distributed to celebrate the birth of a new baby, circumcision and engagement.

Source: http://www.bahasa-malaysia-simple-fun.com/flower-malaysia.html