ZAITUN Arabic Olive - Indigenous Taiwanese Symbolism - And Silk Road Dumpling (Kew London Inspired II )

August 09, 2023

ZAITUN Erythrina variegata 刺桐 - Old Name of Quanzhou 泉州刺桐

From the 9th to the 15th century AD, Quanzhou was China’s major seaport for international trade. China entertained extensive relations with the Muslim world, and many Islamic monuments can still be found in Quanzhou.

The first time I was brought to ZAITUN fascinations was Rachel Laudan's map of Stuffed boiled dumplings. Clearly marked Zaitun also known as Quanzhou between 1200-1350.

ZAITUN - Olive 橄欖

@ Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London

ZAITUN Erythrina variegata 刺桐 - Indigenous Taiwanese Symbolism New Year
Beginning of a Year - when Erythrina variegata blossoms (Earliest record - 17th century)
Kavalan 噶瑪蘭 word Napas

番社采風圖 Kingdom of Tungning 1661–1683

ZAITUN Erythrina variegata 莿桐 - Tainan and Yunlin

Temporary old name of Tainan and permanent Citong 莿桐 town of Yunlin.

島嶼 DNA (2) Taiwanese Arab Bloodline 台灣人的阿拉伯血緣 (Read Here)

ZAITUN Erythrina variegata 莿桐 Others

NOTE 1- As for written character from 刺 to 莿 in Taiwan (apparently after 17t century) -

I wonder if to do with Japanese as Japanese DID have a habit of adding grass 草 on written words used in
Taiwan (often for elegancy!) Most historically - 番 to 蕃.

NOTE 2 - Erythrina variegata 刺/莿桐 the thorny type as the name and document indicated disappeared and

is now extinct in Taiwan - WHEN unclear to me.

ZAITUN 莿桐 Common Type in Taiwan Now - Indigenous Symbolism Retains - introduced in recent decades
from SE Asia and South/Central America (Photos taken in Taipei - mostly in Da'an district)

珊瑚刺桐 Erythrina corallodendron Linn., Coral Bean Tree