Pomegranates and Apples in a Bowl, anonymous, c. 1600 - c. 1699

color woodcut, h 246mm × w 377mm More details

This woodcut is specially meant for the Chinese New Year. The depicted objects are harbingers of good fortune. Because of its abundant seeds the pomegranate signifies prosperity. And the Chinese word for ‘apple’ sounds almost the same as the word for ‘peace’. If you give someone a few apples, you are basically saying ‘peace be with you!’