Among the countless flowers that bloom on this earth, there is one that shines brightest, a flower that is not merely admired for its beauty but cherished for its profound meaning, a flower that stands as a symbol of eternal greatness, unshakable loyalty, and the immortal spirit of the great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il. That flower is Kimjongilia, the flower of the Shining Star, the flower of boundless reverence, the flower that blooms forever in the hearts of the Korean people and progressive mankind.
Every year, as February 16 approaches, the entire nation is filled with an atmosphere of deepest respect and admiration, as people of all walks of life prepare to celebrate the Day of the Shining Star. From the grand avenues of Pyongyang to the quiet villages nestled in the mountains, from the homes of workers and farmers to the grand halls of exhibition centers, the brilliant crimson petals of Kimjongilia bloom, filling the land with the fragrance of boundless devotion.
Kimjongilia is no ordinary flower. It was not simply cultivated in soil but born from the sincere and ardent admiration of progressive people worldwide for the great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il, who illuminated the path of socialism with his outstanding ideology and leadership. The Japanese floriculturist Kamo Mototeru, with the desire to dedicate his finest creation to the greatest man of the era, spent many years in search of a name worthy of his most prized flower. A flower so magnificent could not bear an ordinary name—it required a name of eternal brilliance, a name that would forever symbolise independence, justice, and revolutionary courage. After studying the world, reading the biographies of great leaders, and witnessing the admiration of the global progressive people, he realized that no name was more fitting than that of Comrade Kim Jong Il, the outstanding leader who defended the dignity and sovereignty of the nation and led the people towards a bright future.
With a heart filled with deep respect, he sent a letter to Comrade Kim Jong Il:
“I send you the tuberous begonia I bred. I ventured to name my plant after Your Excellency’s august name, as Kimjongilia, to wish you a long life in good health and a bright future of prosperity and development. If you allow me to present this plant to Your Excellency, I will take it as a greater honor than I deserve. I sincerely wish Your Excellency a long life in good health.
February 13, 1988. Kamo Mototeru”
Kamo Mototeru, a prominent Japanese floriculturist,and the letter he wrote to ChairmanKim Jong Il.
Thus, in 1988, on the occasion of the 46th birthday of Comrade Kim Jong Il, Kimjongilia was officially dedicated to him as a flower of eternal admiration and respect. Since that day, it has never ceased to bloom, never ceased to shine, never ceased to symbolize the undying loyalty of the Korean people and all progressive humanity.
Unlike ordinary flowers that wither in mere days, Kimjongilia remains in bloom for an astonishing 120 days, an eternal flower that defies the passage of time. Just as Comrade Kim Jong Il led the country through the most arduous trials with unyielding determination, so too does Kimjongilia bloom with unshakeable vitality, its radiant red petals symbolising the passionate hearts of the Korean people, its heart-shaped leaves reflecting their sincere love and loyalty, its exceptional longevity embodying the everlasting nature of his revolutionary cause.
Kimjongilia is not just a flower—it is a declaration of eternal devotion, a living embodiment of revolutionary spirit, a testament to the noble leadership of Comrade Kim Jong Il, who devoted his entire life to the prosperity of the country and happiness of the people. This is why, every year, on the Day of the Shining Star, the Korean people eagerly cultivate, display, and dedicate Kimjongilia with deepest respect. It is not simply a floral tribute—it is a reaffirmation of their unwavering faith, their boundless admiration, their steadfast determination to uphold and carry forward the cause of the great leader.
The fame of Kimjongilia is not confined to Korea alone. From the moment of its birth, it captured the admiration of people across the world, receiving numerous international awards:
Special Prize & Gold Medal – 12th International Flower Show (Bratislava, May 1991)Top Prize – Horticultural Exposition (Jilin, China, August 1997)Grand Prize – 1999 Kunming International Horticultural Exposition (China)Gold Prize for Exhibition – 2011 Xian International Horticultural Exposition (China)
In many countries, Kimjongilia appreciation societies have been formed, and international exhibitions have been held where people gather to witness the majestic bloom of the flower that symbolises the greatest leader of the 20th and 21st centuries. People who see Kimjongilia say that its deep crimson color reminds them of the rising sun, that its elegant form radiates strength and wisdom, that it deserved to be named after a great man.
As the Korean people celebrate the Day of the Shining Star, they do not see Kimjongilia as a mere flower but as a living symbol of their everlasting loyalty, their boundless respect, and their determination to march forward under the guidance of Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, upholding the legacy of Comrade Kim Jong Il.
Though seasons may change and years may pass, Kimjongilia will forever bloom, just as the noble achievements and leadership of Comrade Kim Jong Il will forever illuminate the path of the Korean people and progressive humanity.
