Mong Kok is a notoriously bustling, crowded, and noisy place. I made a trip on a Monday late in the morning, thinking that it would be less busy, but I was wrong. There is no stopping Mong Kok.
The amount of traffic at the Flower Market may also be due to the fast approaching Chinese New Year Holiday. Monday the 23rd is the official start of the Lunar New Year, so this week (and weekend, especially) are filled with people struggling to complete their preparations. It is customary to buy fresh flowers and fruit, as a symbol of prosperity and rebirth. Fruit is a symbol of prosperity because at one time it was considered a luxury. For Christmastime, the principal at my school purchased several lavish fruit baskets for the staff, and the fruit was ceremoniously passed out to all. Fresh flowers are also popular because they symbolize the coming of Spring, and are considered auspicious as well.
The market was crammed with people inspecting flowers, bunches of cherry blossoms, and trees laden with mandarin oranges, cherries and grapefruit. The crowd was a mix of young and old: young couples browsing and workers hauling merchandise; and older, retired men and women wandering through the market, looking for a new addition to their gardens. It is clear that they are here every week, Lunar New Year or not.
Most of the flowers on offer were orchids. I have never seen orchids that were so large, exotic, and varied in color.
At first glance, they appear to be lemons, but after a closer look (and a Google search), I have determined that they are not lemons but “nipplefruit” or “tittyfruit.” I wish there were a better English alternative, but that is the best translation I found, and I didn’t think the Latin name would be of much help. This year will be the Year of the Dragon. These nipplefruit arrangements were all over the market, but apparently they were even more in demand during the Year of the Ox (2009). This is because of the fruit’s close resemblance to a cow’s udder. Yes, sometimes it is also referred to as the “cow’s udder fruit.”
Here are some other random shots that I took on this outing.
Crate full of bulbs from China:
Chinese pottery:
Old tree:
Entrance to Prince Edward Market:
That's all! Hope you enjoyed the photos.
The amount of traffic at the Flower Market may also be due to the fast approaching Chinese New Year Holiday. Monday the 23rd is the official start of the Lunar New Year, so this week (and weekend, especially) are filled with people struggling to complete their preparations. It is customary to buy fresh flowers and fruit, as a symbol of prosperity and rebirth. Fruit is a symbol of prosperity because at one time it was considered a luxury. For Christmastime, the principal at my school purchased several lavish fruit baskets for the staff, and the fruit was ceremoniously passed out to all. Fresh flowers are also popular because they symbolize the coming of Spring, and are considered auspicious as well.
The market was crammed with people inspecting flowers, bunches of cherry blossoms, and trees laden with mandarin oranges, cherries and grapefruit. The crowd was a mix of young and old: young couples browsing and workers hauling merchandise; and older, retired men and women wandering through the market, looking for a new addition to their gardens. It is clear that they are here every week, Lunar New Year or not.
Most of the flowers on offer were orchids. I have never seen orchids that were so large, exotic, and varied in color.
There were also gerbera daisies, ranunculus, ivy, and roses.
The majority of the merchandise on display was fruit trees, garlands, towers and wreaths. Especially popular were these decorations made from a yellow fruit.
At first glance, they appear to be lemons, but after a closer look (and a Google search), I have determined that they are not lemons but “nipplefruit” or “tittyfruit.” I wish there were a better English alternative, but that is the best translation I found, and I didn’t think the Latin name would be of much help. This year will be the Year of the Dragon. These nipplefruit arrangements were all over the market, but apparently they were even more in demand during the Year of the Ox (2009). This is because of the fruit’s close resemblance to a cow’s udder. Yes, sometimes it is also referred to as the “cow’s udder fruit.”
Here are some other random shots that I took on this outing.
Crate full of bulbs from China:
Chinese pottery:
Old tree:
Entrance to Prince Edward Market:
That's all! Hope you enjoyed the photos.
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