The 'Buddha-shaped pear,' was created in 2009 by a Chinese farmer - it is characterized by 'Fu' (blessing) on it and is often considered 'the god of fortune pear.'
The Buddha-shaped pears look incredibly outlandish to anyone who sees them for the first time. These pears are popular not just for their odd appearance but also because they bring good luck. They may look photoshopped, but we can assure you they are real. Keep reading to find out more about the Buddha-shaped pear.
Hao Xianzhang, the Creator
Hao Xianzhang from the Hebei province of China grew nearly 10,000 of these 'Buddha-shaped pears' in his backyard, and they are now sold all over China and are exported to other countries. Xianzhang spent six years to perfect the intricate baby-shaped pears, carefully crafting each. These pears gained immense popularity in Vietnam and are beloved in the local markets of Ho Chi Minh City, located in the southern part of the country. Xianzhang conceived the idea of the Buddha-shaped pear from an ancient Chinese myth about a mystical fruit that resembled Buddha. Whoever consumed that rare fruit would obtain immortality.
How are they created?
Xianzhang started putting Little Buddha-shaped moulds on pears while they were little. With time, the pears would grow and fill up the moulds. He would then remove the moulds and let the fruits grow without the constraints. The pears would grow and eventually resemble Little Buddha by the time of ripening.
How do the moulds look like
The moulds constitute two shells, and you can connect both the parts with plastic pins. The pins are easy to fix, and it firmly holds the fruit in place. But while putting the mould, you need to make sure that the pears are smaller than the size of the mould. With a big pear, you cannot achieve this unique shape.
Demand for Buddha-shaped pears around the world
When the Buddha-shaped pears appeared for the first time, it was reported by the local media that they contained too many preservatives to make the fruits last longer. But this report did not negatively impact the maddening craze for the pear. The buyers were not concerned about whether or not any preservatives were used. These lucky pears gained popularity not only in the markets of China and Vietnam but were also sold online, and anyone could purchase them. An online Chinese shopping website, much like eBay, sells 1lbs of these pears for around £9. And on the global Chinese shopping site Alibaba, these lucky pears are sold in sets at a price starting at £3.50.
You can also grow them in your backyard if you know the correct growing techniques and, of course, if you have the Little Buddha-shaped moulds.
