From Molecules to Meaning in Chinese New Year

Every time Chinese New Year arrives, oranges and mandarins become the main decorations in homes, offices and business premises. Their bright, golden-like colors symbolize wealth, prosperity and success. But behind that beauty, there is an interesting scientific story hidden — a story about light and molecules.

The orange color we see is not just an ordinary color. It is produced from a group of natural pigments known as carotenoids. These pigments are found in many plants and are responsible for producing yellow, orange and red colors in fruits and vegetables.

Chemistry Behind the Color

In the skin of oranges and mandarins, there are several main types of carotenoids such as lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin and violaxanthin. These molecules have a long carbon chain structure with alternating double bonds, known as a conjugated system.

This structure allows the molecules to absorb light at certain wavelengths. In short:

• Blue-green light (high energy) is absorbed
• Yellow and red light are reflected

This reflected light is what reaches our eyes and is interpreted as a bright, intense orange color.

Interestingly, in science, color is actually determined by the light that is “rejected” or reflected, not the light that is absorbed. We see orange because the fruit absorbs blue-green and reflects yellow-red.

Symbolism and Tradition

In Chinese culture, oranges and mandarins have a very special meaning.

1. Symbol of Success: In Chinese, the pronunciation of “orange” is almost the same as the word for success and luck.
2. Symbol of Wealth: The shiny orange color resembles the color of gold. Gold has long symbolized wealth and prosperity.
3. Gift Giving Practice: Giving oranges or mandarins during Chinese New Year is a symbol of prayer and hope that the recipient will be blessed with abundant sustenance and success throughout the year.

This is where science and culture meet. The reflection of light on the carotenoid molecules produces a color that resembles gold — thus indirectly making this fruit a symbol of prosperity.

This Chinese New Year, when we receive or give oranges as gifts, we are not just sharing fruits. We are actually sharing symbols of science, light and hope for prosperity.

Gong Xi Fa Cai and Happy Chinese New Year.

Dr. Mohd Rashidi Abdull Manap
Chemistry Senior Lecturer
Jabatan Kimia, Fakulti Sains,
Universiti Putra Malaysia

Date of Input: 27/02/2026 | Updated: 27/02/2026 | adib.yusof