Orange Day

What Is Orange Day?

Every year on April 14th, Japan celebrates "Orange Day." The idea is said to have been proposed in 1994 by citrus farmers in Ehime Prefecture, one of Japan's most famous citrus-growing regions, and in 2009 JA Zen-Noh Ehime registered the day with the Japan Anniversary Association (the name itself already appears in books from around 1992–1993). The idea builds on a sequence of romantic days: February 14th (Valentine's Day) and March 14th (White Day) are followed by April 14th, when couples reaffirm their bond by exchanging oranges or orange-colored gifts. In Europe, oranges have long symbolized love and abundance, making this a day to celebrate your bond with someone important to you.

The Cultural Background of the Orange

The orange's role as a symbol of love has roots in tradition and meaning.

• "A Bride's Joy": Orange trees can bear white blossoms and fruit at the same time, which is why, in Europe, the orange has long symbolized love and abundance. In the Japanese language of flowers, its meanings include "a bride's joy" and "generosity," and orange blossoms have been used in brides' hair decorations. The idea for Orange Day is said to have come from this "bride's joy" meaning.
• The "Third Day of Love": Following Valentine's Day and White Day, Orange Day is sometimes called the "third day of love." It has been promoted as a chance to express gratitude to the people close to you once life settles down after the busy start of the school and work year.

How Orange Day Has Spread

• Events: In 2012, JA Zen-Noh Ehime held a tie-in event with professional baseball at Tokyo Dome, and an "Orange Festival" was held at Tokyo Tower.
• Korea's Orange Day: South Korea also has an "Orange Day," but it falls on November 14th and is a day for couples to drink orange juice together — a separate custom from Japan's.
• Not Mikan Day: Japan's "Mikan Day" is December 3rd, a different observance from Orange Day.

Fascinating Facts About Oranges

• The Color Came After the Fruit: In English, the fruit's name came first, and "orange" as a color name came into use later. Before that, the color was described with words like "yellow-red."
• The World's Top Producer: Brazil is the world's largest producer of oranges, much of it exported as orange juice. In Japan, Ehime and Wakayama Prefectures are especially famous for growing a wide variety of citrus.
• The Power of Orange Peel Oil: The oil in orange peel (limonene) can dissolve polystyrene foam, and it is used in some cleaning products.
• Once a Luxury: Before oranges became widely available in Europe, they were an expensive fruit and a special gift.

Ideas for Orange Day

• Share oranges or other citrus with a partner, family member, or friend, and take time to talk.
• Incorporate orange-colored items — a handkerchief, stationery, flowers — into your day, or give them to someone close to you.
• Learn about Japan's citrus-growing regions such as Ehime and Wakayama, and try comparing different varieties.
• Keep the orange's meaning of "generosity" in mind: find one good thing about someone around you and tell them.

A Bright Orange Day to Reaffirm Your Bonds

April 14th is a day to reaffirm your bond not just with a romantic partner, but with everyone who supports you. As the rush of the new season starts to settle, why not share a sweet-tart orange and say "thank you" to the people close to you?