Symbolism of Pineapple in Literature
Pineapple as a symbolism in literature was used by artists, writers, and poets to represent charity, kindness, and divinity. In Native American, European, and Chinese cultures, pineapples were kept as good luck and also used for healing purposes. Pineapples are one of the most exotic fruits and were treated as rich people’s food until the early 20th century in European countries. The Mayans and the Aztecs used pineapples for ritual purposes. Hence pineapples are symbols of status and divine spirit. Despite not being native to Hawaii, pineapples are also a Hawaiian symbol and part of their culture. The crown of the pineapple is a symbol of royalty in European nations, while eyes in Chinese culture symbolize predicting the future. The word pineapple is taken from the word pine and cone due to its shape resemblance. It was first used in the 1300s. Pine is taken from the Latin word ‘pinus’, and apple is derived from the Old Norse word ‘eple’.
Good Luck
In Chinese culture, the pineapple symbolizes good luck. Also, the spikes of the pineapple are a symbol of eyes that can see into the future and bring good fortune to live. According to Singapore mythology, rolling the pineapple in a new home or workplace brings good luck and good fortune. Pineapple also symbolizes good luck in the Hokkien region, and giving pineapple is considered passing good wishes.
Celebration
In Southern Culture, pineapple symbolizes celebrations, hospitality, and welcome. The Chinese eat pineapples during the Lunar New Year’s celebrations, as it represents future prosperity.
Hospitality
In Europe and pop culture, pineapple symbolizes hospitality. In Brazil, pineapple represents hospitality because they believe King Pine returned to its birthplace along the Brazilian coast. In the 18th century, North Americans believed pineapple was a symbol of hospitality and warding bad vibes based on the prickly, tufted shape. They were installed in the front gates. In the Bible, pineapple symbolizes hospitality and God’s provision. In Hawaii, pineapple symbolizes hospitality, and they also believe it brings luck and joy.
Luxury and Status
In the 1550s, European use to ship pineapples from the Caribbean due to their exotic taste and looks. Thus it was a symbol of luxury and status due to its rarity in European countries. During the same period, the British aristocrats considered pineapple as one of the exotic fruits as it did not grow easily. Thus, it symbolizes luxury. So, they grew pineapples on their estates. In Scotland, Dunmore’s house is shaped like a pineapple to symbolize luxury.
Hawaii
In Hawaiian culture, pineapple symbolizes welcome, happiness, and hospitality. In Hawaii, pineapple is called the Hala Kahiki. During the 16th century, Spanish sea voyagers took the pineapple from Hawaii to Spain, as they understood the importance of vitamin C to prevent scurvy. In Hawaii, Pineapple is considered a tropical happiness that brings sunshine to the islands.
Friendship
Pineapples symbolize friendship and warmth in pop culture. During Colonial America, pineapples were given as gifts to guests as a symbol of friendship and welcome. Asians also believe pineapple symbolizes friendship and hospitality, and they also use pineapples in architecture to represent a strong bond. In the Caribbean Islands, the pineapple represents friendship and affection, and the pineapple is used for home decorations to welcome visitors.
Dream
Pineapple in the dream symbolizes happiness, joy, and pleasure. Eating pineapple in dreams is a symbol of good luck and abundance. In the dream, receiving pineapples from others symbolizes shyness or wariness. Dreaming of drinking pineapple juice symbolizes short-term happiness. Dreaming of throwing a pineapple at someone symbolizes the danger in life.
Examples of Pineapple as Symbolism in Literature
Example #1
The Moon Seen as a Slice of Pineapple By Conrad Hilberry
Tonight an old man follows the narrow streets
turning and returning like a thought.
His hat down, his loose pants flapping,
he looks in at the light of a cantina,—–
He knows where she must be: in the gardens
of the rich, it rains every day. She sits
on the branch of a jacaranda, while a man
with perfect teeth, hardly younger than himself,holds to her mouth a slice of pineapple.
“Eat,” he says as the juice drips from his hand.
She eats and a black dog slides from the shadows
to lick the moonlight falling on her legs.
In this poem, the speaker remembers his daughter and her future husband. Here the pineapple is a symbol of love, and the fruit syrup is a metaphor for moonlight.
Example #2
Crochet By Jan Mordenski
Even after darkness closed her eyes
my mother could crochet.
Her hands would walk the rows of wool
turning, bending, to a woolen music.The dye lots were registered in memory:
appleskin, chocolate, porcelain pan,
the stitches remembered like faded rhymes:
pineapple, sunflower, window pane, shell.
In the above example, the poet is recalling the crocheted fabrics by her mother. There are other objects mentioned along with the pineapple. Here a pineapple symbolizes celebration and love.
Example #3
Quote by Katherine Gaskin
Be a pineapple: Stand tall, wear a crown, and be sweet on the inside.
In this example, the pineapple symbolizes strength, dignity, independence, and kindness.
Example #4
Quote by Davin Turney
When life gives you lemons, sell them and buy a pineapple. How to better your life 101.
In this example, the pineapple symbolizes resilience and strength.
Example #5
A Year of Living Prayerfully by Jared Brock
The next morning we experienced our very first full English breakfast,which consisted of tea, orange juice, cookies, oatmeal, granola, berries, bananas, croissants, grapes, pineapples, prunes, yogurt, five kinds of cold cereal, eggs, hash browns, back bacon, sausage, smoked salmon, tomatoes, mushrooms, beans, toast, butter, jam, jelly, and honey. I don’t know how the British do it.
In this example, the author is describing the breakfast list and his surprise with their extravagant menu. Hence here, the pineapple symbolizes Luxury.
Example #6
Rise Up and Salute the Sun by Suzy Kassem
A pineapple is a compilation of berries that grow and fuse together. When joined, they create a single fruit. And within each eyelet, contains a location where a flower may grow. I see the Creator of all existence as the crown on a pineapple, and all religions of the world as the spiky eyelets, where each eyelet symbolizes a different religion or race under the same crown. Each garden of faith may have different perspectives of God, yet every garden belongs to the same God.
In this example, the author is comparing each eyelet of the pineapple with religion and the crown with one creator. So, here pineapple symbolises the unity, divine and peace.
Example #7
Dark Woods by Claudia
Seeking survival, hostile, hidden from sight,
Deliciously flavoured – juicy, sweet bite,
Exploding senses preparing to ignite,
Inspiring to escape from the suffocating night.
In this example, the pineapple represents happiness, adventure, and curiosity.
