Tangerines and Oranges : Chinese New Year Symbols

Chinese New Year Celebration

The Chinese culture is rich and full with symbolism and is especially true when it comes to Chinese New Year celebration. It is associated with many symbols and customs.

Despite the fact that some Chinese, especially the youngsters, have adapted to a more 'western' style of living, the old traditions and customs are still being practiced, albeit adapted to present day's environment.

Chinese New Year Symbols

Certain colors, fruits, flowers, animals, action and sounds are examples of things that have special symbolic meaning.

Since Chinese New Year is a major festival celebrated by Chinese people, these symbols are even more important. To make it auspicious, the Chinese will adorn their houses with these symbols.

Why are Tangerines and Oranges part of Chinese New Year Symbols?

Tangerines and oranges are one of these auspicious Chinese New Year symbols.

Tangerines in Chinese sounds similar to the word "luck" and orange sounds like the Chinese word for "wealth". Through the play of words, the Chinese is associating the gift of orange and tangerine as having an abundance of happiness and prosperity.

The bright orange color of the fruits also symbolizes 'gold', hence it has an auspicious meaning to bring in good luck and wealth.

This is a very important factor for the Chinese new year celebration.

Hence you will find tangerine and orange fruits, being displayed in houses, offices and shops as they believe it will usher in good fortune for the occupants.

They are also served to guests that come visiting as well also given as gifts, to family members and friends.

Can you also display the Tangerine and Orange fruit trees?

Besides displaying tangerine and orange fruits, displaying the potted plant is another common way to usher in the prosperity.

They are normally placed at a doorway or within the common area such as the main reception lobby of shops or offices, or within the living room

Miniature orange trees

This potted plant usually comes in the form of a miniature orange tree.

Miniature orange trees for Chinese New Year are mainly cultivated in China. They are then exported to countries where they are majority Chinese populations who will buy them, for the Chinese new year.

Good as a decorative item

These ornamental orange trees are very popular and prices vary according to the quality, type and tree sizes. They usually come in heights varying from 1.5 feet (0.45 meter) to 7.9 feet (2.4 meter).

Since they are cultivated mainly as a decorative item, the orange fruit is not recommended for eating. This is mainly due to the fact that the tree is infused with a high dosage of fertilizer and fruit inducing hormone. They look nice and is tempting to eat, however it is not good for eating.

Buying potted orange trees

The Chinese will normally buy the tree in pairs as they believe it will double their wealth and prosperity.

As the plant is 'engineered' to bloom and ripe perfectly during the Chinese new year season, they may however, be a few that might have ripened too early for the celebration. Hence it is important that you choose, depending on when you buy, trees that are healthy and loaded with many semi ripe oranges. You do not want to buy trees with fully ripe fruits that will not last over the two week celebration. In fact you should buy the tree that will bloom gloriously over a one month period.

As I had mentioned earlier, the tree has been given an overdose of fertilizer and fruit inducement hormones, so that it will bear lots and lots of fruits. These extra weights can be too much for the tree branches. Hence the tree branches and fruits are normally tied neatly to provide support as well as to create a nice decorative/aesthetic look.

Once you bring the plant home from the nursery, make sure you water it daily, but do not over water them. They love the sun, so place them in the sunniest location within your premises. Or take them out for at least an hour of full 'sunlight bath'.

May you have lots of wealth and prosperity

So don't forget to display the tangerine or orange trees in your homes and offices to bring in wealth and prosperity!

Thanks for dropping by my hub, 'Tangerines and Oranges : Chinese New Year Symbols'.

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Related to this hub, is my article on 'Ushering in Year of the Dragon'. Click Year of the Dragon 2012 to read.

Read other articles on Chinese Cultures and Festivals here:

1. Chinese New Year Celebration in Malaysia
2. Chinese Qing-Ming Festival is now On-Line
3. Chinese Zodiac Story : A Bedtime Story
4. Ushering in Year of Dragon - Chinese New Year 2012