Photo 22 #366photos: Mandarin orange tree

22 January 2012

A Chinese New Year Eve tradition is to go to the flower market. So for photo 22, on Chinese New Year Eve, a picture of our new mandarin orange tree. It will be lovely once the green fruit has ripened.

Mandarin oranges are considered symbols of abundance and good fortune. The word for mandarin orange in Cantonese has the same sound as the phrase for good luck and prosperity, ????.

More about the symbolism of food can be found in this interesting article, and this leaflet gives more information about the fruits and flowers of Chinese New Year.