As the Lunar New Year approaches, many people seek unique, exotic, and meaningful gifts, such as decorative fruits with auspicious meanings. These fruits, often displayed on the ancestral altar or as part of the traditional five-fruit tray, are believed to bring prosperity and good fortune for the coming year.
The Vietnamese tradition includes displaying fruits such as coconuts, watermelons, and pomelos, which symbolize abundance and wealth. In recent years, artists have transformed these fruits into stunning works of art by incorporating calligraphy and creating unique shapes.
Brightly colored and artistically arranged, these fruit displays are believed to bring luck and happiness to the entire family for the new year. Here are some of the most popular choices:
1 Calligraphic Pomelo
The calligraphic pomelo, adorned with intricate patterns and raised lettering, is a true work of art. When choosing a pomelo, select a large, round, and firm fruit. As pomelos are typically displayed in pairs, the calligraphy is also written in pairs. Popular pairings include “Tài – Lộc” (Wealth – Fortune), “Hưng – Thịnh” (Prosperity – Thrive), and “Cát – Tường” (Auspicious – Good Luck), reflecting the homeowner’s wishes for the new year.
These calligraphic pomelos are sold at a premium, with prices ranging from VND 200,000 to 400,000 per fruit.
2 Calligraphic Watermelon
Watermelons, too, can be adorned with calligraphy, featuring well-wishes for peace and prosperity for the family.
3 Calligraphic Coconut
Calligraphic coconuts remain a popular choice due to their affordability and long-lasting display. To enhance their artistic appeal, vendors often apply gold dust to the coconuts before adding calligraphy and decorative patterns, making them truly eye-catching. Displaying these coconuts on the five-fruit tray is believed to bring abundance and good fortune for the new year.
The price of a calligraphic coconut typically ranges from VND 150,000 to 250,000 per fruit.
4 Carved Papaya and Mango
Papaya, an essential component of the five-fruit tray, is often carved with intricate designs to add diversity and a modern twist to this traditional custom. According to folklore, including papaya in the display brings fullness and prosperity to the family in the coming year.
Mangoes, on the other hand, symbolize the hope for a year of financial abundance and ease.
5 Red Pomelo – A Royal Delicacy
The red pomelo, with its unique reddish hue, symbolizes abundance and good luck. Its slightly sweet and sour taste makes it a refreshing treat, and its ability to stay fresh for an extended period makes it a popular choice for the Lunar New Year celebrations. Calligraphic red pomelos, with their pinkish hue and meaningful lettering, are especially sought-after. Each fruit, weighing over a kilogram, is priced at approximately VND 150,000 in the market.
6 Gourd-Shaped Pomelo
The gourd-shaped pomelo is another favorite among consumers. This unique shape requires a meticulous process of shaping and caring for the fruit, resulting in a higher price tag. A pair of these pomelos can cost anywhere between VND 1,200,000 and 1,500,000. Due to their popularity, many people pre-order these pomelos from farms months in advance to ensure they get the best-shaped fruits for the Lunar New Year.
7 Gourd-Shaped Watermelon
The gourd-shaped watermelon is another premium product in the market. Despite its high price, ranging from VND 500,000 to 1,000,000 per fruit, it is a popular choice for those seeking unique gifts for their loved ones or for ancestral worship.
The market also offers a more expensive variety called the “Hoàng Kim” watermelon, sold in pairs for VND 3,000,000 to 5,000,000. This variety boasts a distinctive shape without compromising on quality.
8 Gold Bar and Square-Shaped Watermelon
Watermelons shaped like gold bars or squares are also unique and valuable additions to the Lunar New Year fruit display. These creations have been around for a few years, but their appeal continues to grow due to their symbolism of wealth and fortune.
Depending on their weight and size, these watermelons can cost anywhere from VND 650,000 to nearly 4,000,000 each.
9 Phoenix Pineapple
The Phoenix Pineapple, with its striking resemblance to a phoenix, features multiple branches and tiers and a vibrant red color. It is an excellent choice for gifts or as a centerpiece for the five-fruit tray.
When selecting decorative fruits for the Lunar New Year, consumers can choose from a variety of eye-catching and unique options while still retaining the essential qualities of the fruits themselves. The choice of fruits for the five-fruit tray may vary depending on regional beliefs, but the underlying hope for a prosperous and peaceful new year remains constant.
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