Page 98 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book
P. 98
D
Date
zao
The Chinese date is not at all the same thing as the North African date.
Properly speaking, it is the fruit of the jujube tree. In Chinese, the name of this tree is
phonetically identical with the word meaning ‘early’ (zao), so we often find the idea of
‘soon’ or ‘early’ symbolised by the jujube tree. The tree is often portrayed together
with lichee fruit, and this group expresses the wish that the recipient of the picture
may soon have sons. When a cinnamon tree is coupled with a jujube, the wish
expressed is that sons should soon be born who will attain to high office.
Chinese dates and longans: ‘May you have not
long to wait for high-ranking sons!’
