persimmon tree

A persimmon tree is a tree of the genus Diospyros grown throughout East Asia and other temperate regions for its edible orange fruit, the persimmon. In art, it is commonly depicted during autumn or winter, with bright orange fruit remaining on otherwise bare branches after the leaves have fallen. Persimmon trees are a recurring seasonal motif in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean art.

While not as laden with meaning as the Japanese Cherry Blossom, Persimmons do have some special connotations in China and Korea:

• Good fortune / auspiciousness — In Chinese culture, the word for persimmon (shì) sounds similar to words associated with "things going as wished" or "fulfillment," so persimmons can symbolize good luck and favorable outcomes.
• Abundance and harvest — The orange fruit appearing in autumn represents a successful harvest and prosperity.
• Longevity — Persimmons are sometimes associated with long life because of their historical use in traditional art and symbolism.
• Autumn and nostalgia — In Japan especially, a persimmon tree with fruit hanging after the leaves fall is a classic autumn image. It often evokes quiet rural life and the changing seasons.
• Perseverance — The fruit remaining on bare branches through colder seasons can suggest endurance.

In Korean culture specifically, the persimmon (감, gam) is very familiar and traditional. Dried persimmons (곶감, gotgam) are a classic Korean food, and persimmon trees are common in rural landscapes. They can evoke a feeling of home, countryside, autumn, and tradition.