The five-fruit tray usually consists of five different types of fruits arranged on the ancestral altar during the Lunar New Year. The chosen fruits often reflect the wishes of the homeowner through their names and colors.
The number five symbolizes the desire to achieve the five blessings – wealth, honor, longevity, health, and peace.
In Buddhism, the five colors of the five-fruit tray symbolize the five wholesome roots, including faith (belief), determination (perseverance), mindfulness (remembrance), concentration (unconfused mind), and wisdom (enlightenment). Therefore, the fruits displayed on the Lunar New Year’s five-fruit tray also carry certain meanings.
The types of fruits chosen for the five-fruit tray often represent the wishes of the homeowners in the new year.
For people in the northern region, a beautiful and standard five-fruit tray must have a variety of fruits such as green bananas, pomelos, Buddha’s hands, mandarins, oranges, ornamental kumquats, chili peppers, and pineapples… with vibrant colors but must be harmonious and conform to the five elements.
In the five-fruit tray, the bananas are arranged in a cluster and must be green, symbolizing unity, warmth, and harmony. The pomelo is yellow, symbolizing wealth and good luck.
The pomelo can be replaced with Buddha’s hands because folklore believes that this fruit has the power to retain the presence of deities, Buddhas, and ancestors in the house for a longer time to protect the homeowners.
The pomelo can be replaced with Buddha’s hands because this fruit has the power to retain the presence of deities, Buddhas, and ancestors in the house for a longer time to protect the homeowners.
Kumquats, oranges, or red chili peppers are adorned around the five-fruit tray because they have vibrant red and yellow colors, extremely beautiful – symbolizing luck and success. The pineapple, with its distinctive fragrance, is often used to express wishes for a peaceful and prosperous new year.
People in the northern region usually arrange the five-fruit tray in a traditional way by placing a cluster of green bananas at the bottom to support the rest of the fruits. In the middle, there are pomelos, Buddha’s hands, or pomegranates, and other fruits such as peaches, oranges, kumquats, and apples are placed around them. In empty spaces, chili peppers and kumquats can be alternated.
The five-fruit tray in the central region is simple, without fussing about forms. The fruits commonly seen in the five-fruit tray of people in the central region are dragon fruits, bananas, watermelons, pomegranates, pineapples, mandarins, and kumquats…
The worship area must be sacred and pure, so avoid placing heavy-smelling fruits such as durian and jackfruit on the five-fruit tray.
In the South, homeowners often arrange the five-fruit tray with the desire for sufficient abundance to wish for a prosperous new year. With this wish, people in the South will choose five types of fruits: mangosteen, pomelo, coconut, papaya, and mango.
In addition, people in the South do not worship certain fruits with pronunciation that carries negative meanings, such as bananas (sounds like “failed” – implying failure in work or business), or pears (sounds like “falling” – easy to fail)…
At the same time, folklore advises to avoid heavy-smelling fruits like durian and jackfruit. Because the worship area must be sacred and pure, the selected fruits should only have a mild, subtle fragrance.
Understanding the Health Benefits of Drinking Water of Different pH Levels
Are you aware of the importance of water’s pH to our health? Have you ever wondered what the optimal level of pH in water should be? Read on to learn more about water pH and how it affects our wellbeing.
5 Effective Tips to Prolong the Lifespan of Your Clothes Dryer
We all highly value our clothes dryers, but it can be difficult to keep them running smoothly. Read on for five tips that will help you maximize the life of your dryer.
Gift Shopping Ideas for a Special 60th Birthday Celebration for Dad
With my 60-year-old father’s birthday just around the corner, I’m on the hunt for the ideal gift. I want something that’s emotional, useful, and will show my affections. Here are some suggestions for what to get your father on his special day.
Eat These 10 Magnificent Foods Every Day
Want glowing, healthy skin? Forget expensive cosmetics – add these 10 skin-boosting foods to your diet for beautiful results!
Investigating the Safety of Melamine Kitchen Utensils
Have you ever wondered what melamine is and if it is safe for use in household appliances? This type of plastic, known for its attractive designs and good quality feel, has become increasingly popular among users. Learn more about melamine resin and its potential health risks in the following article.
