Symbolic Significance of Apples
Symbolic Significance of Apples
The apple’s symbolism dates back to ancient Greek times and is
typically connected to emotions of the heart. These include love, lust,
sensuality, and affection.
· Symbol
of love: The apple is known as the fruit of love and has been used since
time immemorial to express affection and passion. In Greek mythology, Dionysus offers apples
to Aphrodite, to win her heart and love.
· Symbol
of sensuality: Apples are often used in paintings and artworks as a symbol of
desire and sensuality. The Roman Goddess Venus is often depicted with an apple
to express love, beauty, and desire.
· Symbol
of positivity: The apple is a symbol of goodness and positivity in Jewish
culture. During the Rosh Hashanah or the Jewish New Year, it is customary for
Jewish people to eat apples immersed in honey.
· Symbol
of feminine beauty: The apple is a symbol of feminine beauty and youth in China.
In China, apple blossoms represent feminine beauty. In
northern China, the apple is a symbol of Spring.
· Symbol
of fertility: The apple has been used as a symbol of fertility across many
cultures and traditions. In Greek mythology, Hera received
an apple during her engagement to Zeus, as an emblem of fertility.
· Symbol
of knowledge: The apple is a symbol of knowledge, wisdom, and education. In
the 1700’s, apples were gifted to teachers in Denmark and Sweden, as a mark of
their knowledge and intellect. This tradition began to be followed in the
United States from the 19th century onwards.
Cultural Significance of Apples
Apples are a part of several cultural and spiritual beliefs and
have both positive and negative meanings. Some of the cultural significations
of apples are as follows:
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· Christianity
According to the Old Testament, the apple symbolizes temptation,
sin, and the fall of mankind. The forbidden fruit consumed by Adam and
Eve was believed to be an apple. In the biblical Songs of Solomon, the apple is
used as a symbol of sensuality. In the New Testament, however, the apple is
used in a positive sense. Jesus Christ is sometimes portrayed with an apple in
his hand, as a symbol of revival and redemption. The New Testament also uses
the phrase “apple of my eye” to denote strong love.
· Cornish
Beliefs
The Cornish people have a festival of apples, with several games
and customs related to the fruit. During the festival, large polished apples,
are gifted to friends and family, as a symbol of good luck. There is also a
popular game where the participant has to catch apples with their mouths.
Cornish men and women take back the festive apples and keep them under their
pillows as it’s believed to attract a suitable husband/wife.
· Norse
Mythology
In Norse mythology, Iðunn, the goddess of eternal youth, is
associated with apples. Iðunn keeps the golden apples to bestow gods with
immortality.
· Greek
mythology
The motif of the apple recurs throughout Greek mythology. The
golden apples in Greek tales come from the grove of the goddess Hera. One of these
golden apples, also known as the apple of discord, led to the Trojan War when
Paris of Troy gifted the apple to Aphrodite and kidnapped Helen of Sparta.
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The golden apple is also depicted in the myth of Atlanta.
Atlanta is a quick footed huntress who proposed to marry one who could run
faster than her. Hippomenes had three golden apples from the garden of Hesperides. As Atlanta ran, he
dropped the apples, which distracted Atlanta, causing her to lose the race.
Hippomenes then won her hand in marriage.
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