More than 4600 years ago, there had been continuous violent conflicts between the agricultural Han Chinese and the non-Han Chinese herdsmen living in the north. It was said that there was a man who was forced to the battle field. With great reluctance, the man left the wife with their lovely sons and daughters. Since then, she spent each day waiting and hoping that the day would come for her husband’s return. Every dawn and dusk, she would lean against a big tree in a high mountain, only to learn that it was another day of disappointment. Her husband never returned.

Because of her continual longing, she cried under the big tree almost every waiting moment. As time went by, her tears turned blood without her realization and miracles happened. Her blood drops that fell on the ground harden and they became red beans. The red beans eventually rooted and grew into big trees that continue to produce more red beans. To commemorate the legend of this love story, people started calling the fruits of this tree – the love beans.

Red beans have a very profound cultural foundation. A red, love bean is very big, with a diameter of about 9 millimeters. This kind of bean has distinct characteristics. They are very hard and often come in heart shape. They have almost similar color to blood and can be stored for a very long time without rotting, or fading in color.

Red bean symbolizes love and faithfulness. In some part of the Asia countries such as China and Taiwan, men often present red beans to their lover to show their commitment for a relationship. Red bean also symbolizes happiness. When a bride wears jewelry made from red beans on her wrist or neck, it means that she will lead a happy life. It is also a cultural belief and practices that if married couples put six red beans underneath each of their pillows, their love would remain till eternity.

Today, fashionable women are proud of wearing red bean jewelry. Lovers exchange love beans with each other to show their love and commitment towards each other.

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