Pineapple as a Symbol of “Welcome”

During the second voyage of Columbus, pineapples were found on the Island of Guadaloupe where they were cultivated by the Carib Indians. The pineapple's original home was probably in South America, and it was brought to the Caribbean islands by Indian traders. The Spanish invaders called the pineapple “Pina de Indias” because of its somewhat far-fetched resemblance to the pinecone, and it was the English who named it “pineapple.”

Although the fruit would not have shipped well in the slow ships of the 16th century, it was possible to ship root suckers for growing stock to disseminate the plant quickly throughout the world. Because pineapple was somewhat of a luxury item for early American colonists, the pineapple became a popular symbol of the ultimate in hospitality, and was painted on walls, furniture, doors and paintings as a “Welcome!” symbol.

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