Why is there a pineapple on top of St Paul's?

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[orsonstarbuck]

Renting a pineapple 300 years ago like flexing with a rented lambo today.

[olliehopnoodle]

We modern folks don't appreciate our options for food, clothing, entertainment, etc.

[OneWithTheBears]

It's still a symbol of hospitality... of a sort

[joanbennettnyc]

There's even a song just about how expensive pineapples are in CABARET (the stage version, not the movie) so they were rare even into the 30s and 40s.

[datdam-yy]

The cost, besides from importing, also comes in part from the need to have specific pine greenhouses ("pineries") that have great stoves heating the entire building. That Dunmore Pineapple building at 0:21 is one such example (it's mainly still a garden folly though). It had its south walls made with glass and a hollow wall heated by stoves, the Grecian urns on top are disguised chimneys. To have them growing in one's garden is the real testament of wealth AND skill during those weird times. And I can sympathize, pineapples are not the easiest thing to grow lol

[michaelplunkett]

In Newport, RI, returning sea captains brought them as a present ans signified they were safe home and open to visitors making calls. Motif is everywhere, door knockers, fence posts, woodwork, etc.

[marin]

Pineapple crochet doily patterns were very common. You can find pineapple crochet style in many different patterns now, extending beyond just doilies, but many different things even garments that use finer thread yarn

[ImNotaRussianBot]

I know that along coastal cities in the American South, the men who were in sea trade as shipmen of various ranks and classes would bring a pineapple from the Caribbeans
The pineapple would be placed on the entry gate post to signal their prosperouy and safe return to the neighbors, as in, "Come on in, Tommy's home! He's brought some cool goodies we can show off or share!" sort of message. Thus, the pineapple being placed on top of prominent entryways.

[jerrellbevers]

I read somewhere that a pineapple could cost upwards of $8, 000 and they would set them out to let them rot, just to show that they 'got it like that'.

[fearthehoneybadger]

I watched people harvesting pineapples in Hawaii. To protect themselves from the spines, they had to dress in heavy, winter clothing under the hot tropical sun

[christinemiller]

In South Carolina the pineapple is a symbol of hospitality and welcoming. We have a water fountain downtown at the pier.

[JosephMoretto]

I remember learning about this, those with pineapples would never even eat them, they would display them until they rotted entirely to rly juice the status out of it before it was gone

[austingeorge]

That's the whole reason I put it on my pizza, to flaunt my wealth!

[kennyjones]

The pineapple has symbolized hospitality and welcome for centuries. Its rarity and exotic taste made it a status symbol for the elite, and a gift for royalty. In early America, colonists imported pineapples from the Caribbean, and displaying one at home indicated wealth and luxury. Here's how the pineapple symbol has evolved:

15th century
European explorers document tasting the pineapple during Christopher Columbus' voyage to the Caribbean.

17th century
American colonists begin importing pineapples, and the fruit becomes a symbol of hospitality.

18th century
Pineapples are incorporated into architecture, paintings, and sculptures as a sign of welcome. The prickly shape is also used in gateposts, door entryways, and silverware.

***
The pineapple 🍍 is still used in the advertising motif of hotel chains today, or you may see the motif above the front/main door 🚪 of a house.

[davec]

And yet today I understand the upside- down Pineapple have a swinging thing going

[DaneOrschlovsky]

And today, many adults use the upside down pineapple as another unspoken symbol 😂

[SeverityOne]

Fun fact: almost every imaginable European language calls it 'ananas'. Almost. 🙂

[ColumbusDixon]

So enjoyable. I’m sure the Raby estate grew these back in the day in the 1500’s. Near Bernard Castle GB/UK

[bryanjensen]

And still carries on. Definitely synonymous with Hospitality.

[SegwayBossk]

Times were strange back then
Times are strange today too