TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan families are preparing symbolic fruits for the Lunar New Year on Tuesday (Feb. 17), with each variety carrying auspicious meanings for good fortune and health. Taiwan, known as the 'Fruit Kingdom' for its unique geographic landscape, diverse climate, and advanced agricultural techniques, produces high-quality fruits year-round that remain staples of the festive season. In traditional Chinese culture, certain fruits displayed during these celebrations carry special meanings that reflect the Lunar New Year's spirit of prosperity and renewal.
Apples, with their bright red skin, symbolize peace and prosperity for the new year in traditional Chinese culture. Pineapples, whose name sounds like "prosperity comes" in Taiwanese (the Hokkien dialect spoken in Taiwan), represent incoming good luck and are rich in dietary fiber and vitamins. Longans, symbolizing reunion and wealth, offer health benefits but should be consumed in moderation by those with diabetes due to their high sugar content.
Dragon fruit's vivid hue symbolizes a vibrant life, with the fruit offering low-calorie and high-fiber nutritional benefits for health-conscious consumers. Oranges, with their Chinese name echoing 'success,' are sweet, juicy, and aid digestion, making them popular gifts during the holiday season. Tangerines, sounding like 'auspiciousness' in Mandarin, make excellent gifts, while strawberries with their red exteriors represent sweetness and happiness, believed to ward off bad luck.
Pomelos, whose Chinese name sounds like "blessing," are often used in rituals to usher in the new year across Taiwan households. Hami melon symbolizes fertility with its numerous seeds, offering sweet, juicy flesh packed with protein and fiber for family gatherings. Persimmons, with their rosy appearance, embody the wish for everything to go smoothly. The fruit is rich in carotene, iron, and calcium, making it a nutritious addition to the festive table.