Buddha’s hand

Buddha’s hand

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Buddha’s-hand citron takes its common name from the shape of its fruit, which resembles the idealized fingers of the Buddha. Although the fruit is not edible, it has a strong fragrance and is used as an offering at the altar. Its name in Chinese, foshou, has almost the same sound as the words for “fortune” (fo) and “longevity” (shou), adding another layer of good wishes.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Buddha’s handBuddha’s handBuddha’s handBuddha’s handBuddha’s hand

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.