Why is tangerine a symbol of New Year in Russia?

Olivier salad, Christmas tree, clinking glasses and a basket of tangerines, these are the things Russians cannot do without on New Year's Eve.

Vì sao quýt là biểu tượng năm mới ở Nga? - Ảnh 1. — Tangerines have become a symbol of the New Year in Russia. Photo: Gateway to Russia

Tangerines in the history of the new year

According to the Baltimore Chronicle, tangerines have been a New Year symbol since ancient times. The tangerine's homeland is China, where the fruit is considered a symbol of wealth and prosperity. According to Chinese tradition, giving tangerines on the holiday is a wish for prosperity and happiness in the new year. Its orange color is associated with gold and the shape of the tangerine is said to resemble a coin.

Tangerines were introduced to Europe in the 19th century. Later, due to their flavor and long shelf life, the fruit became popular in many places.

Vì sao quýt là biểu tượng năm mới ở Nga? - Ảnh 2. — Photo: Pinterest.com

Tangerines become New Year symbol in Russia

According to Gateway to Russia, tangerines first appeared in the Russian Empire in the second half of the 19th century. They were shipped from Europe and were only available to the wealthy. Moreover, deliveries usually took place in late January, when the holiday season was over.

Later, tangerines were grown in Russia's neighboring Georgia, but the "golden apples of the sun" remained rare and expensive. However, everything changed in the 1960s, when the first cargo ship carrying tangerines from Morocco arrived in the Soviet Union just in time for New Year's Eve. At that time, there was no other fresh fruit on the Soviet New Year's table, so tangerines, with their pleasant aroma and affordable price, immediately found a place.

Since then, generations of Russians have bought tangerines on New Year's Eve, although today any fruit can be bought.

The magic of fragrance

The scent of citrus is not only pleasant, but it also creates a festive atmosphere. Scientists have proven that the scent of citrus fruits improves mood, reduces stress and helps fight fatigue. So that may be why many people want this scent to fill their homes during the winter when the days are short and the sun is scarce.