During the Spring Festival, traditions form the heart of the holidays and celebrations. For me, the ritual begins with a drive in our little Toyota Rav4 to Shanghai’s wholesale market.
The final days before New Year’s Eve are pure chaos – pallets upon pallets of cherries, blueberries, mangosteens, pomelos, and dozens of other fruits from across the globe spilling out as buyers from near and far scramble to get their last shipments bought and shipped out.
Two hours and a few thousand Rmb later, our car is bulging with treasures – two boxes of cherries, a box of Envy apples, a box of Sunkist oranges, two boxes of Naturipe blueberries, a box of Zespri kiwifruit, a box of honey pomelos, and more. Nearly ready to burst, we set off for Huai’an, Northern Jiangsu, hoping to dodge the inevitable holiday traffic.
Our arrival, an anticipated moment of joy as we bring gifts of longevity, prosperity, health, and wealth to contribute to the upcoming celebration. In China, fruit isn’t just a gift – it’s a symbol. A fragrant orange or a tender pomelo becomes a talisman of prosperity, not just a treat. For centuries, fruit has symbolised luck, health, and abundance, it’s been woven into stories and rituals that outlast the seasons.
This heritage helps explain why premium fruits command such reverence during Chinese New Year celebrations.
Five fruits and their stories
Oranges: The gold standard of wealth
Oranges and tangerines, with their golden glow, are practically currency during Chinese New Year. Their colour mirrors gold coins, while their name (橙 chéng) rings with the promise of ‘success’ (成 chéng). To gift one is to hand over a slice of fortune. In ancient legends, mandarins were presented as offerings to the Jade Emperor to seek blessings for the year ahead. Today, these fruits are exchanged in pairs, doubling their auspicious power. Even a simple bowl of mandarins is thought to attract good fortune.
Peaches: The fruits of immortality
Peaches are perhaps the most iconic fruit in Chinese mythology. The Journey to the West tells the story of divine peaches. Ripening every 3,000 years, they were guarded by the Queen Mother of the West and said to grant eternal life to anyone lucky enough to eat them. While few people still associate a peach on their New Year’s table with divine immortality now, the symbolism of longevity and renewal endures. Peaches are a common gift for elders during Chinese New Year, a sweet reminder of health and vitality for the year to come.
Pomelos: Protection and abundance
Pomelos, with their fragrant heft, are as much a statement as a snack. Their name (柚 yòu) sounds like the word “to have” (有 yǒu), symbolising abundance and prosperity. Its round shape represents completeness, while its thick rind was traditionally believed to ward off evil spirits. In southern China, pomelos are often included in ancestor offerings during the New Year, ensuring blessings for the household. Their protective and abundant symbolism makes them a staple in homes across the country.
Cherries: Modern luxuries for luck
Though cherries lack deep historical roots in Chinese folklore, their vibrant red colour – the ultimate symbol of luck – has made them a modern favourite. Imported cherries, often gifted in luxurious packaging, are now a sign of affluence and care during Chinese New Year. For many families, presenting a box of premium cherries is not just about offering a delicious treat – it’s about showing thoughtfulness and honouring the tradition of sharing blessings.
Apples: A peaceful gesture
Apples (苹果 – píngguǒ) hold a unique place in Chinese New Year traditions due to their link in language to the word for “peace” (平安píng’ān). A gift of apples is a wish for harmony and safety, making them a meaningful addition to the holiday season. In Chinese folklore, apples symbolise unity and reconciliation. Today, they are exchanged as thoughtful gifts, especially among friends and neighbours, reinforcing bonds and goodwill for the year ahead.
The value of tradition
From the heavenly peaches of immortality to the golden mandarins given as an offering to the Jade Emperor, the traditions tied to fruits in Chinese culture are profound and enduring. These connections explain why premium fruits inspire such reverence in China – it’s about more than flavour. Oranges, cherries, and pomelos aren’t just delicious; they embody prosperity, health and blessings. For the fruit industry, understanding this isn’t just insightful – it’s essential. Quality isn’t merely a preference; it’s an expectation deeply rooted in tradition.
