It all Started with a Pineapple
Charleston’s Pineapple Fountain- TripAdvisor
South Carolina is known for its hospitality. Right here in Charleston when visitors arrive, they are met with a warm welcome symbolized by an iconic, pineapple-shaped fountain. One of the many reasons travelers from across the globe are drawn to the Lowcountry is to experience its hospitality and charm. Along with the moss-draped oaks and sunshiny weather, our town is rich with history, and Charlestonians are always delighted to show off its symbolic connotations at any opportunity, like: sipping sweet tea from a piazza, snacking on boiled peanuts or strolling down cobblestone streets lined with gas lanterns. While there are slight variations of the exact story behind the symbolism of the pineapple, most versions say it represents making someone feel welcome by sharing the sweet and wonderful fruit of your labor which offers a generous way to treat your company. The story goes…this tasty treat, not native to South Carolina, was imported from the Caribbean. It represented a colonist who completed their voyage and finally made it to the new world. They wanted to share in their celebration with anyone passing through and some stories say that they would spear a pineapple at the porch post as their “welcome” gesture and “we’ve made it home” symbol.
Glenn Keyes Architects
The dictionary says that symbolism is when a picture, shape, color or image stands for another idea, emotion, feeling or concept. Symbols facilitate the understanding of our world by rendering complexity into understandable and simplified images.
Some believe that the most powerful of all human symbols is language. Communication and language are how we function in our modern society. The basic symbols in our life help people function in a safer and less complicated fashion. We use symbols throughout our day without even thinking about it. Our brains have so many different stimuli to process that human nature creates a sort of “short cut” to living out our day-to-day experiences. Symbols can be basic and functional, like street signs. They can be powerful and extremely meaningful, like religious symbols. Symbols can evoke emotions of love and romance or even hatred, all of which are certainly more personal than the functional side to symbolism.
Our personal and individual symbols are all very relative to our own context. I’ve been in plenty of personal situations where I have thought “what should I do?” I’ve wished for a life manual to help me make the right decisions. A very wise and spiritual woman whose book I’m reading, wrote inspiring words that broaches this very topic! She has beautifully reflected on personal examples of symbolism in her life. It is here where I was introduced to the concept of S.L.O.W. (stop, listen, observe & wait). It’s amazing once you begin to think about and notice symbolism around you and is almost like having that life manual! I’ve found it can be fun and engaging to try to decode the “messages” meant to help guide you. It takes discipline to use the S.L.O.W. method; you must offer your attention and be open and aware of your surroundings. It is also helpful when you’ve got some quiet time and space to notice and reflect on the symbols and their meaning in your own life and pertaining to your decisions. If this concept sparks an interest, check out Tara Banks’ book by clicking this link to learn more about Waiting on Wonders! Her writing may just inspire you to S.L.O.W. down and absorb the symbolism surrounding you.
Tara L. Banks Waiting on Wonders Blog
