The Buddha's hand, scientifically called Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis, is a citrus fruit with an intriguing name and an even more fascinating appearance. Also known as the fingered citron, bushukan, or hand of Buddha, and possessing a bizarre appearance and enchanting fragrance, Buddha's hand is one of the most visually striking and culturally rich members of the Citrus family. This ancient fruit, native to northeastern India and southwestern China has been grown for thousands of years and continues to awe people with its finger-like segments, which resemble the gesturing hands of Buddha in prayer or meditation. The Buddha's hand fruit is primarily grown for its aromatic rind—as this is where its fragrance is concentrated—and its ornamental decorative appeal. Quite fascinating, isn't it? Well, there is more that you’d find even more fascinating about this fruit, and its evergreen bush.
Buddha’s Hand’s Botanical Profile, Historical Roots and Growth Habits
For starters, the Buddha's hand is a sweet-scented citrus fruit forming from a small to medium-sized evergreen belonging to the Rutaceae family. This evergreen is characterized by its dense foliage, slender branches, and thorny twigs and typically reaches a height of 10 to 20 feet. It thrives in warm, subtropical climates, prefers well-drained soil, and when cultivated, requires regular watering for optimum growth. The leaves of this evergreen are large and oblong, pale green in color, and measuring about four to six inches in length, while its flowers are white or purplish and grow in fragranced clusters.
The Rutaceae family in which Buddha's hand belongs is closely related to other citruses like lemons, limes, and oranges. But, unlike its citrus cousins, the Buddha's hand fruit produces almost no juice. Instead, its characteristic feature is its thick, aromatic rind, segmented into finger-like sections, typically ranging from five to twelve. The fruit forms from the small, thorny evergreen shrub or tree that thrives in subtropical climates, and whose pale green leaves, and purple-tinged flowers, coupled with its fragrant aroma make it quite a delight for the senses. Still, yet, unlike typical citrus fruits, the Buddha’s hand, also, lacks seeds, and its thick, bumpy essential oils-filled rind, dominates the fruit which can grow up to 12 inches long and weigh over a pound. The Buddha's hand fruit’s ‘fingers,’ often curl inward like a closed hand or splay outward like an open hand. These forms hold symbolic meaning in Buddhist traditions, with closed hands representing prayer and open hands symbolizing giving.
The origins of Buddha's hand can be traced back to northeastern India or China, where it has been cultivated for centuries. It is believed to have been introduced to China as early as the 4th century AD. Fossilized leaves discovered in China's Yunnan Province suggest that citrus fruits have existed since the late Miocene epoch, approximately seven million years ago. And since, the Buddha’s hand is considered a mutation from Citron (C.medica), which is one of the five ancestral species of citrus fruits, its existence in the region is also ancient. Some accounts indicate that this unique fruit's origins can be traced to the Indian Himalayan foothills, from where Buddhist monks carried it along trade routes to China by the 4th century C.E. By the time of the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), it had become quite a cultural icon, immortalized in art, medicine, and religious rituals. European explorers later introduced it to the West, where it remains a rare but fascinating curiosity in gardens ranging from California to the Mediterranean, and several other places.
While the Buddha’s hand is relatively rare, the fruit—which aptly thrives in warm, subtropical climates—is well-suited for growth in numerous regions with these conditions, where it is often cultivated in home gardens and orchards. Certain regions of northeastern India, including Assam and Manipur, as well as also in China and Japan, have the fruit grown quite significantly. In New Zealand, there, also, are garden centers that advertise the tree as available to grow. Since the fruit does well in temperate climates, it can hardly tolerate frost, drought, or intense heat. Plus, it typically ripens in late fall to early winter, thus a popular yet seasonal item in markets.
Why Is It Called Buddha’s Hand?
The name Buddha’s hand derives from its resemblance to the mudras, which are the symbolic hand gestures of Buddha statues. This visual similarity has led to its association with various religious and cultural beliefs. In Buddhism, the hand is often seen as a symbol of blessings, generosity, and enlightenment. The fruit's fragrant aroma further enhances its spiritual connotations. You'll, therefore, likely find it in offerings in Buddhist temples.
In Chinese culture, the Buddha's hand is considered a symbol of good fortune, happiness, and longevity. It is often given as a gift during celebrations and festivals, particularly during the Lunar New Year, as it is believed to bring blessings and prosperity to the recipient. The fruit's unique shape and vibrant color, also, make it a visually appealing addition to the festive display. Well, just so you know, the Chinese name, fo shou (佛手), translates to ‘finger citron fruit’, which is actually, the Buddha's hand. In many other East Asian cultures, the fruit’s segmented fingers generally signify spiritual themes such as enlightenment, compassion, and divine protection.
Buddha’s Hand Symbolic Meanings, and Cultural and Religious Significance
In China and Japan, the Buddha’s hand is an influential symbol of prosperity, often placed on altars during the Lunar New Year or given as gifts to attract good fortune. Buddhists believe its closed-hand form honors Buddha’s preference for prayerful gestures, while its fragrance purifies spaces and uplifts the spirit. The fruit also plays a role in Jewish tradition. In the 19th century, rabbis debated whether it could substitute for the etrog (citron) during the weeklong holiday of Sukkot, though most rejected it due to its lack of pulp. The Japanese also attribute positive energy to the fruit, giving it as a New Year's gift to invite luck into a household. generally speaking, this fruit is believed to usher in good fortune.
Away from these specific cultures, elsewhere, the Buddha's hand is generally seen as a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. Its flowers symbolize longevity and happiness. Its blooming is widely seen as a celebration of health and a harbinger of potential abundance because the hand-like shape is often interpreted as a representation of the Buddha's hand offering blessings, representing generosity, compassion, and enlightenment. Plus, the fruit's fragrant aroma is held to be symbolic of purity and spiritual awakening. The same case applies to many Asian cultures, where Buddha's hand, just as noted, is considered a symbol of good fortune, prosperity, and longevity, and is often given as a gift during celebrations and festivals to symbolize good wishes to those who receive it. In some traditions, however, Buddha's hand is believed to possess protective qualities, capable of warding off evil spirits, while still bringing good luck. And because—as widely known by now—the Buddha’s hand fruit is viewed as a fragrant offering, it is used for perfuming prayer rooms, spaces where offerings are made, or just personal items.
Buddha's Hand Nuances in Art, Mythology, and Modern Culture
In ancient times, Chinese jade carvings and Japanese woodblock prints immortalized the fruit’s elegance. In Chinese culture, the Buddha’s hand is part of the 'Three Abundances' (San Duo), alongside peaches and pomegranates, symbolizing happiness (Fu), longevity (Shou), and descendants (Duo Zi). Many myths, also, tie it to themes of unity, harmony, and even resilience. For example, the lotus-like Buddha’s Hand China statue in Guangdong’s Gulong Canyon—a 20-meter stone hand reaching skyward—embodies harmony between humanity and nature.
In recent years, Buddha's hand has gained widespread recognition and appreciation, and its cultivation and availability have expanded beyond its traditional strongholds in the Indian Himalayas and China, and gone on to be successfully cultivated in faraway regions such as California, Italy, and Japan, where the fruit has accumulated a dedicated following among chefs, bartenders, and home cooks. The global interest in Buddha's hand has led to a growing demand for the fruit, and thus its cultivation has considerably expanded to meet this need. However, it's important to note that the quality and flavor of the Buddha's hand can vary depending on the growing conditions and the specific cultivar.
Uses in Culinary Arts: How to Eat The Fragrant Buddha’s Hand
One question that may, perhaps, bother people is: What does Buddha's hand taste like? Yes, the fruit may be a citron, but it is quite unlike its other citrous peers. Buddha's hand, therefore, has a unique flavor profile that distinctively differentiates it from these other citrus fruits. While it lacks the juicy sweetness of an orange or the tartness of a lemon, it possesses a complex, subtly sweet, and fragrant flavor, with the rind largely remaining the tasteful part, offering a refreshing, slightly spicy, and intensely aromatic taste with some hints of lemon and orange. Many people, however, have different descriptions of this fruit's taste.
Some describe it as having a slightly bitter undertone, adding to its complexity. Some, even say the Buddha’s hand taste is a bright, floral-citrus blend reminiscent of lemon zest, bergamot, and violets, and that unlike lemons or oranges, it has no bitterness. Still, yet, others describe Buddha’s hand taste as a blend of bitter and sweet acidity, similar to kumquats, with lavender undertones, and that its fragrant zest gives off a sweet lemony scent. Regardless, all that everyone seems to agree on is that it has a zesty citrusy flavor. Who doesn’t love that anyway?
Although the Buddha’s hand is not typically consumed raw due to its lack of pulp, its aromatic qualities make up for this. This is what makes it useful in various culinary applications. The zest of the fruit's rind is rich in essential oils, making it a popular ingredient not just in perfumes, but also in potpourri, and flavored liqueurs. The fruit's peel can be candied and used in cakes, biscuits, ice cream, mousse, and cream fillings. It can also be used to infuse light spirits or to flavor sugars and salts. Plus, the rind's zest can be added to salad dressings, pasta, compound butter, marinades, or tossed with root vegetables before roasting. It is, however, important to note that when selecting a Buddha's hand, one should look for a fruit that is bright, waxy, and free of blemishes.
Buddha’s Hand in Home Décor and Gardening
Buddha’s hand can, also, have ornamental purposes in designs. The Buddha fruit’s sculptural form and vibrant yellow hue make it a favorite in minimalist and bohemian interiors. Designers could, for instance, pair it with jade plants or bonsai trees for Zen-inspired tabletops. Dried Buddha's hand fruits can, also, be used in varied arrangements, adding a touch of exotic beauty and fragrance to the floral compositions. The intense aroma can also be a natural air freshener, replacing synthetic room sprays. Similarly, growing a Buddha's hand tree outdoors adds intrigue and beauty to the garden where its distinctive foliage and fragrant blossoms create a visually appealing and aromatic landscape. Dwarf varieties are, in fact, ideal for patio containers or bonsai.
Furthermore, the form of Buddha's hand inspires designers in various other fields. Its unique shape has been incorporated into jewelry, artwork, and even furniture designs reflecting its aesthetic appeal and symbolic significance. The fruit's ravishing aroma has also been incorporated into perfumes and candles scenting rooms and wardrobes with its intense citrusy scent. Thus, despite its rarity, this is quite a fascinating fruit worth bringing into the home for all its symbolism and practical uses.
Feature and header image by TA MM
