Citizens and visitors of Yunhwa are familiar with the famous Legend of Yunhwa. The precinct’s famous lore tells the tale of a young man who fell in love with a fairy. Both loved each other. But the villagers didn’t accept their relationship, and the fairy had to leave. Before she departed, she gifted the man with a flower. She requested him to promise her he’ll think of her when he sees it. He planted the flower and tended it until it grew around the entire village. They soon gave it the name yunhwa (luck flower). Even named their growing community after it, for anyone who cultivated the flower found a fortune.
With many generations slipping by, it’s hard to pinpoint the exact period the event occurred. But tradition has settled it around the end of April, following the whims of the lunar calendar. The celebration remains simple. Around a week before the official day, citizens pick up thin slabs of wood carved in the shape of the Yunhwa flowers. They write anonymous messages on them, then tie them onto the branches of the trees in the Namisan Forest Area. The messages can be secrets or wishes. It is said the fairy will come read them under starlight and grant good luck to those worthy.
The last event comes at the end of the weekly event. Starting in the afternoon, a parade travels through the town. The mayor leads with a small float at the front, music playing through speakers. Behind him there’s another float, where two lucky citizens dress up in traditional wear tailored to the event. It is their role to guide the spirits of the principal characters to happiness. The town hall randomly picks both each year. The employees of the town, whether they are stall owners or working at any building, are also invited to attend. They trail behind the two floats in traditional wear. At the end of the parade, the mayor wraps up with a recount of the legend at the center of the square.
