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The Secret Meaning Behind Pineapple Decorations On Southern Homes
By AMIRA GUNDEL
Today, pineapple decorations in the South have become a well-known and loved symbol of hospitality, but the tradition and fascination with this delicious fruit did not begin there.
Pineapple is originally indigenous to the Amazon rainforest and was cultivated and worshiped by the Tupinamba People. It was Christopher Columbus that brought the fruit to Europe.
Scarce and expensive, the exotic fruit became a highly coveted status symbol among Europe’s elite, adorning architecture and furniture and signifying opulence and generosity.
European settlers brought the tradition to the American South, where it became a symbol of hospitality and luxury after surviving treacherous voyages across the Atlantic.
After the Revolutionary War, pineapples evolved into symbols of neighborliness and generosity. They were also grown domestically, making them more affordable and accessible.