The celebration of Sardoon Day takes place in Yakutia.
In the vast and rugged landscapes of Yakutia, Siberia, a captivating flower has found a place in the hearts of locals and tourists alike. Known as the Sardana flower, or Yakut beauty, this Asiatic lily is more than just an ornamental plant – it is a symbol of resilience, beauty, and cultural significance.
Although the Sardana flower is not indigenous to Yakutia, it has become deeply ingrained in the region's history and folklore. For the residents of Amginsky District, the Sardana flower serves as the central symbol of their coat of arms, reflecting its growing importance.
The Sardana flower is celebrated in Yakutian songs, dances, and poems, and its name is even bestowed upon girls in Yakutia. A Siberian legend tells of the Sardana flower's origin, claiming it came from the heart of a brave warrior who defended his land.
Asiatic lilies, of which the Sardana flower is a variety, are known for their hardiness and vibrant, diverse-colored flowers. They prefer well-drained soil, moderate watering, and full to partial sunlight. However, the extreme cold and permafrost in Yakutia can pose challenges to their natural growth without human cultivation or greenhouse conditions.
Despite these challenges, the Sardana flower is popular among local gardeners for its ease of growth. Today, the Sardana flower is successfully cultivated in the Netherlands and supplied worldwide under the names "Asiatic Lily" or "Asiatic Brunella."
The Day of Sardana is celebrated annually on June 30th, and according to Yakut beliefs, seeing the Sardana flower brings happiness and success. It is forbidden to pick wild Sardana in the territory of the republic, and planting Sardana in household plots is believed to ensure love and harmony.
In Yakutian folklore, the Sardana flower is believed to protect from death in combat if a lily bulb is taken to the battlefield. The Dauric lily, from which the Sardana flower originates, was initially mistaken for the Pennsylvania lily in England but was later named "Dauric lily" after the Daurian larch.
Despite not being native to Yakutia, the Sardana flower is not just a brand in Yakutia; it is a central symbol and holds significant cultural and historical importance. In Hangalassky District and parts of the southern, southwestern, and central regions, especially along the Amga River, the Sardana flower can be found growing on meadows and forest edges.
In conclusion, the Sardana flower, or Yakut beauty, is a cultivated ornamental plant with vibrant flowers and moderate hardiness. Although it is not native to Yakutia, it has no well-documented historical or cultural significance in the indigenous context of that region. Its growth in Yakutia would require controlled conditions due to the harsh climate. Globally, Asiatic lilies are widespread in cultivation but primarily thrive in temperate zones rather than subarctic environments like Yakutia.
The Sardana flower, despite being an introduced species, holds a profound cultural and historical significance in the Yakutian region, serving as the central symbol in their coat of arms and inspiring local songs, dances, and poems. In domestic gardens of Yakutia, especially in Hangalassky District and the surrounding regions, the Sardana flower grows on meadows and forest edges, symbolizing love, harmony, and success for the residents.
