Christopher Columbus
discovered the pineapple during a voyage
to the Caribbean in the 15th century. Upon
his return to Europe, the pineapple became
a symbol of prestige and curiosity. In the
17th Century, King Charles II of England
posed for a portrait in an act then
symbolic of royal privilege - receiving a
pineapple as a gift. Across the ocean in
the American colonies, the pineapple's
symbolic meaning evolved along with the
New World's culture. Sea captains
returning from the South Pacific spiked a
pineapple at the front gate to let
visitors know that they are home and
receiving guests. Since visiting neighbors
homes was the primary means of
entertainment and cultural discourse in
the small towns, the concept of
hospitality was a central element of daily
life. Placed on a special pedestal as the
centerpiece of the table, the pineapple
crowned the most important feasts,
eventually becoming an international
symbol of hospitality that extends a warm
welcome to all who visit. |
