The Propitious Present of Oranges

As one of the most important aspects of the Spring Festival, food is integral to a healthy, happy new year in Chinese tradition, many with auspicious and symbolic meanings, either because of the appearance of the food or the pronunciation of its Chinese name.

In South China, especially the Guangdong area, oranges and tangerines are the "lucky" fruits and the best presents during the Spring Festival season as the Chinese words for oranges and tangerines, "ju", sound like luck and wealth.

Oranges and tangerines are not only the favorite for the children. When people go to pay New Year calls to relatives and friends, it is a custom to bring with them a basket of red oranges or tangerines. They are also propitious presents that can help dissolve the misunderstanding between friends and neighbors.

It is said if the oranges or tangerines have leaves intact at the pedicel, it symbolizes long lasting relationships; while a fruitful and exuberant orange tree symbolizes having plentiful offspring.