Cempaka & Melati

Cempaka (Michelia champak)... how beautiful and fragrant! The subtle Cempaka hinted at honour, sacrifice and true love in The Legend of Suriyothai. Whereas the smaller, almost similar Melati (Jasmine) symbolizes purity, eternal love and nobility in Puteri Gunung Ledang.

I remember asking Nenek why she often put Cempaka or Melati on her hair. She smiled and handed me some to smell. Ahh, their beauty goes beyond mere fragrance...

apa namanya bunga melati,

cantik mekar harum setaman;

kenapa ditanya pada hati,

cerdik akal harus dahulukan.

~ Zaleha Ahmat