The apricot fruit has the Chinese name xing (杏) and can also be referred to as bai guo zi (白果子) which translate to the white fruit or convey the meaning of a hundred sons.
This fruit can also be depicted with a play of the words xing (幸) and/or xing (兴) which means good fortune and prosperity. Applying these words and meanings to paintings might help an observer better understand the subtle symbolism behind the art.
The apricot also represents the second month in the ancient Chinese calendar.
The fruit itself carries the symbolism of a beautiful women.
Their large seeds, which are also known as stones and kernels, resemble almonds and are said to represent the beautiful eyes of a lady.
It is also used in TCM medication and in certain Taoist rituals.
The fruit is primarily orange in color, but when they are red, they represent a woman who has conducted adultery.
A painting of an apricot field is meant to symbolize academic success. This might be partly attributed to Confucius famously conducting classes under a huge apricot tree. It was also said that the celebrations of of those who passed the first imperial exams was conducted in an apricot grove.
A painting of an emperor handing a boy flowering apricot blossoms is a reference to the emperor Qianlong of the Qing dynasty. It conveys the meaning of him handing over his throne to his son and wishing him success during his reign.
While it also represents perseverance under challenging conditions when depicted with a woman dressed in imperial clothing.
On top of all that, they make great smoothies.
Feng shui
The display and placement of apricot fruits are usually to represent beauty or to call on fertility luck.
This why when a couple has an intention to conceive their first child, they can hang paintings of the apricot or place the fruit itself in the east or southeast sectors of the house.
This is because these are where the Chen and Sun trigrams are located and represents eldest son and eldest daughter respectively.
So if their wish is to have a boy, then apricot fruits would be placed in the east. And on the southeast if they hope for a girl.
Otherwise, growing them in the garden can also attract the luck of descendants.
