Preface
Did you know that the red, round, sweet and juicy apple was not called "apple" in ancient China. Instead, it has a beautiful name that is still used in Japan today.
So, what is it called, and what kind of process did it eventually call "apples"? Let's go into this unique history and explore the seemingly ordinary fruit of apples.
Apples were domesticated in Xinjiang
In ancient times, our ancestors had already begun to domesticate apples. The earliest apple cultivation area is located in today's Xinjiang region. The land there is fertile and the climate is suitable, which is ideal for the growth of apples. However, people at that time did not call this fruit "apple", but gave it a more elegant name - "柰".
Xinjiang has been an important node of the Silk Road since ancient times, with its superior geographical location and pleasant climate, which has given birth to many rare plant resources. Apple is one of them. Archaeological excavations have shown that the ancestors of the region began to domesticate apples more than 5,000 years ago.
Through long-term selection and cultivation, this originally wild fruit tree has gradually adapted to the local environment and produced sweet and delicious fruits. This process of domestication can be described as a long and arduous process.
The ancestors needed trial and error to figure out the best way to grow apples in this land. They may have encountered various difficulties and setbacks, but in the end, with their wisdom and perseverance, they succeeded in domesticating this rare fruit tree.
Perhaps out of reverence for this fruit, the ancestors did not simply call it "apple", but gave it a more elegant name - "柰". The name not only sounds elegant and moving, but it also has a lot of meaning. It makes the status of this fruit in people's hearts more noble and sacred.
The beauty and preciousness of the squirrel
The Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period coincided with a period of intensifying social class differentiation in China. The status of the aristocracy became more and more prominent, and they not only dominated politically and economically, but also began to show their own characteristics in terms of culture. This fruit has become a way for them to show their status.
For ordinary people, being able to see the true face of the coffin is simply a luxury. This fruit is not only scarce, but also expensive, and only those in the powerful can afford it. Therefore, it has also become a kind of "luxury" for the upper class, and it has become a symbol of their status.
The literati's praise of the fruit also strengthened the fruit's position in society. They liken it to a "bonus", giving it a beautiful and moving image and making it even more lofty in people's hearts. Different colors of the persimmon are also endowed with different meanings, which further enriches the connotation of this fruit.
It can be said that in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the 柫 has become a unique "cultural symbol", representing the taste and character of the upper class. It is not just a fruit, but a symbol of social status.
Quest: A feast of chasing beauty
In the Western Han Dynasty, with the opening of the Silk Road, various rare commodities began to circulate on the land of China. This fruit also began to be widely known in various places. This caused a strong concern among the upper classes of society at that time.
As a famous writer, Sima Xiangru has an in-depth understanding of this fruit. Under his pen, the image of the coffin becomes more vivid. He described it as "Pavilion Magnolia", which not only highlights the tall and upright of the coffin, but also gives it a simple and heavy character. This vivid description undoubtedly makes the image of the coffin in people's hearts more distinct.
As a result, many dignitaries and nobles in the Western Han Dynasty were attracted by Sima Xiangru's description. They were desperate to see what it was like, so they sent people around to look for it. This kind of pursuit of beauty can be said to be a major fashion in the upper class society at that time. They spared no expense just to be able to see this mysterious and beautiful fruit with their own eyes.
This search also reflects the aesthetic pursuits and lifestyles of the upper class at that time. They not only pursue material comforts, but also are keen on spiritual beauty. This fruit just satisfies their yearning for beauty. This pursuit of beauty also became a cultural characteristic of the upper class society at that time.
The miraculous curative effect of the coffin
In ancient times, Chinese medicine was a very important form of healing. Various Chinese herbal medicines are believed to have unique curative properties and can treat a variety of ailments. The fruit is also included in the category of Chinese herbal medicine.
The famous medical scientist Li Shizhen made a detailed record of the efficacy of the persimmon in the "Compendium of Materia Medica". He believes that it can replenish the middle and invigorate qi, moisten the lungs and relieve cough, and has a good adjuvant treatment effect on some diseases. This greatly enhanced the status of the coffin in people's minds.
At that time, people tended to prefer Chinese medicine for the treatment of diseases. Therefore, a Chinese herbal medicine with miraculous curative effects will naturally receive widespread attention and respect. It is precisely because of this unique effect that it is included in the category of Chinese herbal medicine and has become a highly respected rare medicinal material.
In addition to being used as a medicinal herb, it is also used as a spice. Its unique aroma allows it to play an important role in the process of making incense. This also further strengthened the status and value of the persimmon in the society of the time.
It can be said that it is not only a beautiful and moving fruit, but also a rare medicinal material with miraculous curative effects. Its multiple values made it highly respected and valued in ancient societies. The magic of this fruit has also made people have a more reverent attitude towards it.
Ringo: An exclusive title for nobles
With the passage of time, the fruit has gradually spread in the land of China, and it is no longer as scarce as before. However, the upper nobility was reluctant to share this delicacy with the common people. So, they came up with a new name for the coffin - "Ringo".
Not only does the new name sound more elegant, but it also has a lot of meaning. The word "ringo" depicts the fierce struggle between birds and animals for this sweet and delicious fruit. This vivid description undoubtedly perfectly shows the rarity and delicacy of Ringo.
From then on, Ringo became the exclusive title of the nobles. Ordinary people have no right to use this name, otherwise they will be considered trespassing. This distinction was undoubtedly a manifestation of the strict hierarchy of the time.
The reason why the aristocracy is so obsessed with the title Ringo is not only because of the pursuit of beauty, but also because of other considerations. In this way, they hope to assert their status and distinguish themselves from the common people. This practice undoubtedly reflected the current situation of the intensification of social class differentiation at that time.
It can be said that the title Ringo is not only a simple name, but also a symbol of social status. It represented the privilege and superiority of the aristocracy, and became a way for them to show their status.
The Ringo Way: Crossing East to Japan
In 618 AD, the Tang Dynasty was established, becoming the most powerful country in Asia and the world at that time. As a neighboring country, Japan is naturally full of awe and yearning for this powerful neighbor. As a result, Japan began to send a large number of envoys to the Tang Dynasty to learn advanced knowledge and technology.
Among these envoys to the Tang Dynasty, a group of people specialized in the cultivation and processing techniques of Ringo. Not only did they learn how to grow the fruit, but they also brought its unique name – "Ringo" – back to Japan.
Since then, the name Ringo has taken root in Japan. Japan's upper class aristocrats also followed the example of China, treating Ringo as their exclusive title, distinguishing them from the common people. This practice continues to this day.
The reason why the Japanese are so obsessed with the name Ringo is that in addition to reverence for the culture of the Tang Dynasty, there are also other considerations. In this way, they hope to show their status and distinguish themselves from ordinary people. This practice undoubtedly reflected the characteristics of the social hierarchy in Japan at that time.
It can be said that the title Ringo is not only a simple name, but also a symbol of cultural identity. It represents the yearning and reverence of the Japanese upper class for the culture of the Tang Dynasty, and has become a way for them to show their status. This practice also reflects the characteristics of Japanese society at that time.
epilogue
From the wimpasse to the ringo and now to the apple, the name of this fruit has gone through a tortuous journey. It has witnessed the changes in Chinese society, and also reflects the lifestyles and values of people in different periods.
Today, apples are no longer the preserve of the aristocracy, but a commoner delicacy that everyone can enjoy. However, in Japan, the ancient name of Ringo has been preserved and has become a unique cultural symbol, witnessing the long-standing cultural exchange between China and Japan.
I hope that through this article, you can have a deeper understanding of Apple and a unique history.