'red radish'

'red radish'

'red daikon'

hú (胡) '(historical) barbarian; a generic term for any non-Han peoples who lived to the north and west of China's borders; (historical) countries and peoples in the Western Regions, including Persia, Daqin, and in Pre-Tang texts, India'

It is believed that carrots came to China around the 12th century via the Silk Road from Central Asia. According to another version, carrot cultivation in China began in the 14th century. And some Chinese sources claim that carrots were brought by the famous diplomat of the Western Han, Zhang Qian (張騫 d. 114 BC). His expeditions contributed to the cultural exchange between China and Western powers, as well as the strengthening of trade relations. He brought from afar many different plants that were introduced in China, such as sesame, walnut, etc. All of them contain the hieroglyph 胡 hú.

'red radish'

calque from Chinese hóngluóbo (紅蘿蔔／红萝卜) 'carrot'