– Saemiwon in Yangpyong opens Lotus Flower Museum on the 24th
– Exhibitions of Historic Daily Goods, Food, and Books Related to the Lotus Flower
Opening Commemorative Exhibition until August 15  

Front view of the world’s only lotus flower museum

In Saeminwon, a garden located in Dumulmeori of Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi Province, a unique museum has opened in which historic items related to the lotus flower are preserved.

The Lotus Flower Museum, built in Hyangwongak of Saeminwon, is comprised of two floors: the exhibition hall is located on the second floor, and the food exhibition hall – where food made from the lotus is recreated and displayed – is on the third floor. In the 2nd floor exhibition hall, various lotus-related relics inherited from past generations, such as roof tiles and porcelain items inscribed with lotus figures, traditional jackets embroidered with lotus patterns, and furniture and spoons with lotus designs, are exhibited. In the 3rd flood lotus-food exhibition hall, traditional lotus dishes from historic tomes such as yeonyeopju (lotus leaf liquor) and jeonghyang-yeonjajuk made from lotus fruit as well as lotus salad, lotus croquette, and other types of modern fusion dishes are exhibited.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-Soo, in his opening ceremony address, said, “The lotus flower has been with us since the Three-Kingdom Period when Buddhism took root in lives of our forefathers.” He delineated the purpose of the museum by saying, “This museum of lotus-related relics is designed to restore the wisdom of our forefathers so as to enhance character and enrich daily life through the lotus flower.”

The Lotus Flower Museum is open from Tuesday through Sunday every week. Its operation hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (closed on Mondays). As long as the Saemiwon admission fee of KRW 3,000 has been paid, no separate admission fee is required to visit the museum. Visitors may park their vehicles at the Yangseomyon Culture Sports Park beside Saemiwon.

Saemiwon, celebrating the opening of the Lotus Flower Museum, is holding a special exhibition under the title “Lotus Culture in the Dietary Life of Korean” from July 24 to August 15. In the exhibition, the following items will be on display: 20 examples of tableware and cooling utensils upon which lotus designs are inscribed, such as spoons, bowls, and pots; 2 examples of lotus-flower liquor, one served at court and the other consumed among ordinary people; 40 examples of lotus dishes passed down either by the populace or Buddhist temples; and 10 ancient tomes that contain recipes for lotus dishes. Saemiwon is open throughout the exhibition period and the operation have been extended to 8:00 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunda