Today the pineapple crop is one of the best known and promoted symbols and foods popularly attributed to bringing and representing prosperity, fortune, and hospitality in Chinese traditions and receptions. Often, pineapples and products which contain pineapple like pineapple tarts are found to be used to enhance the Chinese New Year decorations as well as being used to be offered to guests as symbolic gestures during the Chinese New Year celebration and else when it is needed. But why and how did pineapple symbol become associated with people’s wishes for having sweet and prosperous new year?
Meanings of the Pineapple
From the material perspective, the pineapple itself has certain preconditions that entitle it to become a symbol of prosperity in China. They look like symbols of happiness, wealth, and numerous benefits in feng shuee and other cultural Chinese practices.
For instance, the caducity of the pineapples outer skin shield and top conical leaves bear resemblance to the feng-shui citron fruit conceived to stand for wealth. In fact the more spikes and prickles a citron has on it the better and luckier it is regarded. According to this line of reasoning,it is pritable outside If there is one thing that symbolizes good luck and prosperity, then this fruit is it.
Furthermore, the pineapple grows plumper gradually, and it takes time and has a long process to ripe pineapple which gives a moral lesson of patience and caring, which, according to some cultures, are the vices that bring luck in the future. Thus the pineapple acquires a ripe and golden image related with harvest during the period of care.
The outer skin of the pineapple specifically, the rich, glossy yellow-orange color associated with the fruit when is ripe is also symbolic in Chinese culture where the color is associated with nobility, prosperity and good luck. I found out that the greater the intensity of the yellow-gold colour of the metal used, the better for imparting luck.
Pineapples Ripen in Fortunate
In addition to the shape, pineapples also grow in a manner considered prosperous by feng shui in terms of growth. Especially, pineapples are fruits that can be found to grow in a cluster, where one stem may put erect two or more of the fruit. Banana like cultivates fruits and vegetables are believed to be extremely lucky as it is a care of blessings and food grains all at once. The more the fruits that hang off that lucky crop, the happier that yield is considered.
In a more basic way, it also recalls the process of reaping large fruits or yields, a direct association with the prolicity of gains for Chinese farmers, merchants and traders- which emphasizes the idea of plenty or return on investments. These plants can take up to three years before the first harvest of pineapples in case of an initial planting. When properly ripe, individual pineapple plant can produce several fruits, making it a worthwhile crop to tend.
With time, when pines appeared more frequently on Chinese territories, sweet taste of pineapple accumulated richness and the pleasure emulating their appearance of three royal appendages popularized the added value of these products. Its high price and availability also made pineapples luxury goods that the rich could indulge themselves with during feasting events of Chinese New Year. Cutting pineapples also showed that the host is able to afford to feed their guests and that they are willing to do so – qualities that in Chinese culture are associated with wealth and blessings.
Fortune Pineapple Tarts
That is why associations between pineapples and positive aspects of prosperity, luck, and abundance initially formed the basis for their evolution into the image of desserts and avatars that are used for the Chinese New Year now. Of these, the compendium of pineapple tarts in conveys how ‘pineapple’ came to symbolise sweet and good fortunes as well as hospitality.
When pineapple was incorporated more into Chinese cuisine, confectioners turned it into many kinds of auspicious nougats like preserved pineapple, pineapple cake and pineapple tart in small size. Sometines such treats emerged during festive occasions such as lunar or solar New Year when the family intended to satisfy their sweet tooth with special foods and share exuberant food trays to signify richness and wished-for luck or blessing in the coming year.
Out from the existing pineapple tarts, small round, open-faced pineapple tart hit the roof since it depicts the pineapple’s lucky stature complemented by buttery, melt-in mouth texture similar to that which signifies feelings of contentment, richness, peace and satisfaction which are the things wished for in the new year. Tarts that were deeper shades of yellow-gold meant a greater amount of money, while a delicate texture of the crust confirmed that the good things in life would come easy.
Over the years as custom was gradually set into stone, pineapple tarts are served in specialized lucky food assortment given to Chinese New Year visitors upon their entry and when they leave the house. The type is sweet, like the word sounds for sweetness and tends to conjure up the smoothness of a year ahead through their shape and golden color, which symbolizes prosperity due to pineapple like shape. The actual platter represents the hospitable intentions of the host and assures healthy, mutually sweet relations for the advancing new year.
Today’s pineapple tarts are as similar in appearance and taste to the ones made in the early years of the twentieth-century. But now, practical commercial preparation makes most people able to purchase pineapple tarts to entertain people and usher in luckier New Year. The gifts keep on giving too – leftover tarts freeze well so extra luck and abundance can be thwarted and savoured again during the festivals or year ahead.
Still an Auspicious Icon
Despite transfers and interactions as a political or commercial property over the years and centuries – the pineapple has frozen, captured as a symbol of fortune, arrival and welcome in Chinese tactical space. Perhaps what made Chinese get attracted to pineapples in the first place was basics – the sun-like appearance that the fruit is golden yellow, its precious like ruby red color and the yummy like sugar coat sweet taste so reminiscent of the promises of life after sickness, after sore trials that time and investment bring. Such associations remain and will remain long after such specifics as pineapple’s initial process of entering Chinese lore over 500 years ago.
In a more general sense, the pineapple symbolises positive and empowering messages about the generation of prosperity consciousness which remain relevant to today’s Chinese society. Pineapples educate us that yes, there is so much we can get out of small beginnings if we just take the time to cultivate properly. The scaly outside shell bears a message that prosperity, sometimes, is attainable only after confronting a challenge. And the lengthy process of maturation, which transformed these fruits into delicious temptations, hints at the fact that the most valuable experiences in life will be accumulated only after applying them, or, rather, after taking time to gain certain experience. Above all, pineapples teach us that real prosperity multiplied enough when we are lucky can be afforded by many. Just like a ripening plantation harvesting thousands can feast – yes we all can feast; when we invite prosperity in everyone, our visitors and loved ones around us can prosper as well.