Buddha’s hand is an aromatic but inedible citron that is said in its irregular shape to resemble the hand of Buddha. Its Chinese name is a homophone for the words “happiness” and “longevity.” The fruit may be given as a religious offering in Buddhist temples. According to tradition, Buddha prefers the "fingers" of the fruit to be in a position where they resemble a closed rather than open hand, as closed hands symbolize to Buddha the act of prayer. Objects formed in the shape of a Buddha’s hand were favored by Chinese literati of later dynasties, and in Japan the citron is regarded as an accoutrement of literati and tea ceremony masters.