Lychee
Overview
The association comes from the account of the fruit being carried by relay post to the capital for the emperor's consort, which is the tradition's standard example of excess.
Meaning
The lychee carries the reading of the southern exotic and of imperial extravagance — the fruit rushed to the capital.
Traditional Interpretation
Sources treat the lychee as the southern fruit par excellence, and the relay story is the reason it carries the extravagance reading.
Related Concepts
FAQ
What does lychee symbolize in Chinese tradition?
The lychee carries the reading of the southern exotic and of imperial extravagance — the fruit rushed to the capital. The association comes from the account of the fruit being carried by relay post to the capital for the emperor's consort, which is the tradition's standard example of excess.
What does the lychee stand for?
It is one of the standard plants with an agreed reading. The lychee carries the reading of the southern exotic and of imperial extravagance — the fruit rushed to the capital. The story rather than the fruit is the symbol — the lychee reads as excess because of what was done to get it north.
How is lychee read in Chinese tradition?
Sources treat the lychee as the southern fruit par excellence, and the relay story is the reason it carries the extravagance reading. It is grouped under Fire (火) in the five-element system.
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