Symbolic Stone Ornament - Pineapple and Cabbage - England and Taiwan
北埔 忠恕堂 曾學熙秀才 宅
Beipu Township, Hsinchu County
Scholar 曾學熙 Residence (Built in 1922)
這是段發生在 24 小時內 - 人，時，地，物巧妙配合下極有趣的發現 - 英國十八，臺灣二十世紀石雕植物建築歷史。
我曾住過英國一段時間相當博學的朋友詹佬,告訴我他在劍橋大學歷史課程中有學到這段英國建築史。
最近聊天中提到十八世紀英國豪宅大門常見的'鳳梨'石雕長得像'松果'. 我即刻囘覆
"對! 我在倫敦有拍照片! 這我很懂!"
"原因是十八世紀英國老百姓沒機會見到鳳梨，
就這麼巧! 隔天參訪北埔姜家，我看到這長得有點奇怪什麼都不像的石雕，
立馬詢問姜家導覽他説是植物但不記得是什麼，
註:
1. 白菜, 是台灣民間百姓與匠師給的俗稱。(鄭勝吉提供)
註:
1. 白菜, 是台灣民間百姓與匠師給的俗稱。(鄭勝吉提供)
2. 北埔忠恕堂是秀才曾學熙家族的宅第，
(以下英文)
Symbolic 白菜 (Napa cabbage) stone (in pairs)
at doorway of Scholar 曾學熙 residence.
at doorway of Scholar 曾學熙 residence.
Built in 1922, Hsinchu County
白菜 bai-cai was a common name given to this type of plant stones by ordinary folks and craftsmen during 20th century in Taiwan - under western architecture influence.
白菜 bai-cai symbolism:
清白 Humble in Chinese culture
百富 Prosperity - bai 白 is a pun for "100 百 wealth"
Jewels zhu 珠 - Those small balls I reckon are symbolic 'Jewels' - precious stone and prosperity.
On the side wall - napa cabbage is carved looking like a 'crab' !
CRAB SYMBOLISM
Crabs represent "success" in Chinese culture as the word for the crab's hard-shell 甲 also means "first place" and "best". Motif of crab is symbolism for scholarly success in imperial exams. A matching status for Scholar 曾 residence.
ARCHITECTURE DISCOVERY -
This is a fascinating discovery connecting two parts of the world within 24 hours - symbolic fruit stone local interpretations in England and Taiwan respectively.
Taiwan's development of such western-influenced stone (Most likely over 20th century during Japanese rules), naturally, follows auspicious symbolisms of Chinese culture for scholar success and prosperity.
Pineapple became a symbol of status and wealth in 18th century England and a pair of the fruit were seen kept at the doorway of several stately homes and mansions I passed by or visited during a recent London trip.
Knowledgeable London locals confirmed they were pineapples and only seen at homes of wealth and status during (in particular) 18th century. Other less knowledge-equipped locals identified the fruit as 'pine cone'.
WHY WAS IT MADE TO LOOK LIKE PINE CONE?
Not purposely, apparently, but imaginatively.
Not purposely, apparently, but imaginatively.
The conversation came about at one lunch meal with my rather knowledgeable friend Victor, who had spent several years in London, including a period of history course at University of Cambridge.
Somehow the topic moved onto the architecture history he learned from Cambridge - about 'Banana House' (like a conservatory where bananas from the Canary Islands were kept or grow in the 19th century). Onwards to England's pineapple history and the symbolic stone ornaments still seen today, by my own experience, in southern part of England.
Somehow the topic moved onto the architecture history he learned from Cambridge - about 'Banana House' (like a conservatory where bananas from the Canary Islands were kept or grow in the 19th century). Onwards to England's pineapple history and the symbolic stone ornaments still seen today, by my own experience, in southern part of England.
"But it was carved looking like pine cones" says Victor.
"Yes!" and I showed him the photos I took in London from last summer. "Exactly why?" I asked.
"Because ordinary folks and local craftsmen would have no chance to see pineapples (a tropical fruit only the notable and the wealthy Europeans found means to admire and enjoy in the 18th century)"
"Most Imaginable was the pine cone (which ordinary Englishmen would have been comfortably familiar with) with prickles similar to pineapple-eyes made it an ideal replacement!"
The dialogue stayed with me until the following day 24 hours later on a Beipu Hsinchu county trip! Where I questioned the host a pair of strange-looking stones at a doorways of a Scholar's home built in 1922 - similar size and placements to the 'pineapple' stone ornament in London; different in shape (rounder) and yet 'head' like pineapple!
"What do you call this thing?" I asked.
"A plant, but I forgot what it is. Wait, I'll ask"
A few minutes later ...
"It's bai-cai 白菜 (Napa cabbage)"
"Weird looking bai-cai" I muttered, meanwhile, totally appreciated the presence and status in this environment - having discussed about stone ornament in England 24 hours earlier.
And here comes the interesting cultural 'appropriation' on Taiwan's part as 鄭勝吉 (a Taiwan-folklore researcher and lecturer) added:
"Craftsmen at the time didn't know what (Napa) cabbage looked like - so they carved from imagination. Over times the ornament stone became known as bai-cai. It was western influence Japanese introduced to Taiwan"
Did Taiwanese in 20th century grow and eat Napa Cabbage? They most likely did. ('Napa' in food term comes from colloquial and regional Japanese refers to leaves of vegetables )
The interesting point in history presented here is the symbolic European18th-century pineapple stone became known as 'cabbage' stone 200 years later during Japanese administrations in Taiwan.
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A pair of cabbage and a pair of osmanthus 桂花 (guì huā) tree at doorway welcoming guests.
Gui in Osmanthus 桂花 (guì huā) is a pun for 貴 guì in 富貴 fuguì meaning rich and honor.
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