Tiare Tahiti
The Tiare Tahiti, literally “flower of Tahiti” (Scientific name, Gardenia taitensis) is a species of small flowering shrub found throughout much of the Pacific Islands, to Vanuatu. The tiare flower is the national emblem of Tahiti in French Polynesia and Cook Islands. Observed for the first time by Johann Georg Adam Forster, the naturalist of James Cook’s second circumnavigation, he wrongly described the flower as a gardenia florida. A first sample was collected and brought to Europe by Dumont D’Urville in 1824. With this flower is made of Monoi oil, hair care and skin. For the Monoi, let macerate tiare flowers in coconut oil.
Custom
Each arriving in French Polynesia is given a necklace of flowers or just a tiara tiare flower that is placed behind the ear. If women wear the tiare flower blooming (as the hibiscus flower), the men wear only the tiare flower and only in bud.
Moreover, if the tiare flower is worn on the left ear it means that the person is not looking for company. If it is worn right, it means that the person is available or looking for company.
Source: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiare_tahiti
See Also: Sending Flowers, Online Florist
