A Full Basket of Beijing Persimmons

Autumn persimmons are believed to bring good luck and symbolize longevity in Chinese culture. Their leaves have been a beloved decorative motif in traditional art and craft for over two thousand years. Many bronze mirrors and lacquerwares carry this elegant, four-petaled foliate symbol. The persimmon itself also became an auspicious subject and representations of it are often given as gifts to spread joy among friends, because this delectable fruit aligns with the idea of wish granting. The pronunciation of “persimmon (shi)” is the same as “thing (shi),” and its imagery thus forms a visual pun for the meaning of “everything goes well as wished (shishi ruyi).”