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Prepping;
Why Prep?

Apples

Introduction

Doing a whole page just on apples might seem like a trivial thing; but you have no idea how such an important role apples have played in human history all the way back to Adam and Eve, and in mythologies all around the planet.  And today, the production of apples for human and animal consumption is up to 93 million metric tons worldwide.1  And, the production of apples is $99 billion-dollar industry.2  What is it with apples?  This page attempts to answer that question.

1.  Statista.
2.  Mordor.

Table of Contents

Apples in Mythology
 and Lore of cultures around the World.
Apple biology and history.
Apples to our Health. Apple Linguistics. (Etymology)
Apple Idioms & Proverbs. Apple Jokes.
Apple Symbolism. Famous Apples
 in History (and Fiction).
Apple world records. Apples superstition and magic.
Apple Traditions (around the world)

(Including Halloween and Christmas traditions regarding apples)

  and  
Halloween & Xmas Apple Traditions

 

 

 

Apples in Mythology and Lore

Culture Apple(s) Story behind it
Hebrew The fruit of the tree of knowledge.

While the Bible does not explicitly say what kind of fruit it was, tradition has it that it was an apple.  As you know, when Adam and Eve ate of the apple, death came into the world (i.e., they became mortal); but also they gained knowledge.

While doing research on the etymological history of the word "apple", I found that it can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European word "abel" (which means fruit).  And, it got me wondering if there could be any connection with the Proto-Semitic-Aramaic word "Abel" (brother to Cain).  I could find no such link.  The word "Abel" (in the Bible) is the English transliteration of the Hebrew word "Hebel" (which means breath of air).  And Biblical scholars are now saying that the fruit of the tree of knowledge probably wasn't an apple at all.

Source:  Online Etymology Dictionary.

Greek Golden apples of
the garden of Hesperides.

Greek mythology holds that there was a tree in the garden of Hesperides, which bore golden apples.  The tree was guarded by the dragon Ladon.  To the partaker who had a good soul, the fruit was most sweet, and to the partaker who had a bad soul, the fruit was most bitter.

The tree is tended to by the 3 daughters of Atlas (by some accounts); but I prefer the account that says they are the daughters of Erebus and Nyx.  The reason is that they being the daughters of Erebus and Nyx make more sense and fits with the whole theme.  

"What theme?"  you ask?  The theme of end of life.  It all fits.  You'll see.

(1)  The name.
The name of the garden Hesperides means:  Evening; as in "the evening of life".

(2)  Erebus and Nyx.
Erebus was the god of darkness and Nyx was the goddess of night.  They symbolize the "good night" into which souls go when they die.

(3)  The 3 daughters.

Aigle (brightness) [source].   She probably represents the stars.

Hespera (evening star).  She represents Venus.
[Note:  Her brother Hesperus was the morning star, which is also Venus].

Aerica (air)  [source].  Interestingly, this is the only mention of Aerica anywhere.  She probably represents the night air.

(4)  The golden apples.
The golden apples represent judgment at the end of life.

(5)  The guardian.
Ladon guards the tree from mortals.  Only those who've passed into the spirit realm may partake.

_____________________________________
ALSO, Hercules wanted to become a full god, with full immortality, and the gods gave him 12 labors to complete, afterwhich they would grant him immortality.  One of those labors was to obtain one of the apples from the tree in the garden of Hesperides.  Hercules knew that he could never defeat Ladon, so he offered to take Atlas' place holding up the sky while Atlas retrieved an apple for him.

Greek Aphrodite's apples


Clipart from Clipart Library.

The apple was considered sacred to Aphrodite; and to throw one to the object of one's affection was to declare one's love for them.

Source:  Wikipedia.

Note:  Etymologists say that Aphrodite means seafoam, and mythology has it that she emerged from the sea.  So, why apples?  Well, probably apples were associated with the goddess of love, because apples themselves have in many cultures been associated with love.

Learn more about the gods and what they personify on my "Mythology=Science" page.

Germanic -
Scandinavian
Iduna's apples


Clipart from Clipart Library.

Iduna brought apples to the gods, which kept them youthful-looking.

Other spellings:  Idunn, Idunna.

Interestingly, Loki (the personification of entropy and chaos) hired a Jotun to steal Iduna's apples, and the gods all started aging.  A massive hunt for the culprit ensued and when the culprits were found, they were punished.

 

 

 

Apple Biology and History

Scientists tell us that apples came from Kazakhstan, and that the first apples were crab apples.  Via the skill road, apples made their way into all of EurAsia, even into Egypt.  Through grafting and hybridization over many millennia, we get quite a lot of varieties of apples.
Sources:  Historic Sites.  /  Phys.org.

According to WSU Tree Fruit, the world now has over 7,500 varieties of apples.

Apple Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Subfamily:: Maloideae
Genus: Malus
Species: M. domestica

Source:  New World Encyclopedia.

That's interesting.  That means that the apple tree is a part of the rose family.

 

 

Apples to our Health

You've probably heard the saying, "An apple a day, keeps the doctor away."  Well, that just might be true.  The following are ten reasons why that might be true:

(1)  NUTRITION:
One medium 7-ounce (oz) or 200 grams (g) apple offers the following nutrients:
Calories: 104
Carbs: 28 g
Fiber: 5 g
Vitamin C: 10% of the RDA
Copper: 6% of the RDA
Potassium: 5% of the RDA
Vitamin K: 4% of the RDA
Vitamins E, B1, and B6: 2-5% of the RDA

(2)  May support weight-loss.

(3)  Could be good for your heart.

(4)  Lower chance of diabetes.

(5)  May promote gut health.

(6)  Could help fight asthma.

(7)  May help protect your brain.

(8)  May improve mental health.

(9)  May help digestive diseases.

(10) May help prevent cancer.

Source:  Healthline.

 

 

Apple Linguistics

The word "apple" may come from the Proto-Indo-European root "abel" which means fruit.  It definitely comes from the Proto-Germanic root "aplaz", and all the Germanic languages all have cognates.  It originally meant "fruit".

So, applying the word "apple" to the new fruit coming from Kazakhstan via the silk road into the Western nations seems quite appropriate.

Also, applying the word "apple" to the fruit of the tree of knowledge in the Bible would also seem appropriate, but it certainly wasn't the apple that we know today.  So, eating apples isn't going to make you smarter, but eating them might protect the brain from getting dumber. (See "Health Section" above.

Sources:  New World Encyclopedia.   &  Online Etymology Dictionary.

Interestingly the word "apple" has become such a common fruit that it has entered our lexicon in more ways than one.  See my next section on apple idioms...

 

 

Apple Idioms / Proverbs

Idiom Meaning Origins
The apple of my eye one cherished by me An Old English saying.
The Big Apple New York City The term was popularized in the 1920s by John J. Fitz Gerald, a sports news collumnist.  It was originally referring to the prize won at horse-racing events all around the city.

In time, it came to refer the city itself, meaning the biggest and the best city of all.

All it takes is one bad apple to spoil the whole bunch. All it takes is one spoilt child to ruin the whole class. A teaching proverb.
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. The biological child doesn't differ much from the parent. Old proverb.
apples and oranges Two different things (that cannot be compared). When someone tries to compare two things that are not related, you can say, "You're talking apples and oranges."
How do you like them apples? What do you think about that? Origin unknown.
An apple-polisher A student that gives polished apples to his/her teacher in hopes of gaining favor. First seen in 1928 student slang.  Continues to this day.

Source.

Upset the apple cart Make a social mess. It is commonly used this way, "I don't want to upset the apple cart," meaning one doesn't want to upset the social/political/ or business order of the day.
Road apple Horse droppings on the road. First seen in 1942.  Source.
Apple-pie bed A childish prank of short-sheeting a bed. The term is an old one, coming from 1781.
Source.

 

 

 

Apple Jokes


Clipart from Clipart Library.

What is worse than biting into an apple and finding a worm?
ANSWER:  biting into an apple and finding half a worm.

What do you call a grouchy apple?
ANSWER:  a crab apple.

How do you make an apple turn over?
ANSWER:  the same way you make an egg roll.

 

 

Apple Symbolism

Symbol Meaning Origins
Apple
 (as the fruit of the tree of knowledge)
Symbol of the knowledge of where babies come from. It is commonly thought that the fruit of the tree of knowledge was a part of an allegory which illustrates how Adam and Eve learned how to have a baby.
Apple Pie


Clipart from Clipart Library.

Symbol of U.S.A. The first recipe for apple pie was published in America in 1796.

When the colonists came to America from Britain, they wanted to "distance" themselves from British culture as much as possible, so they invented their own treats.  Apple pie was one of them.

The phrase "As American as apple pie," came from the legend of Johnny Appleseed (who was a real person) in the 1800s.

Source:  Better Homes and Gardens.

The Big Apple Symbol of New York City. The meaning is that New York was the biggest and best city.

Source:  Wikipedia.

The Golden Apple
(of Hesperides)
Symbol of judgment The idea is that judgment doesn't come from a god, but from within ourselves.  The bite from the golden apple serves only as a catalyst, and our soul will judge itself.

 

 

 

Famous Apples
(of history and literature and culture)

Date / Name Place / Origin Famous for what?
4th millennium B.C.
The apple (fruit) of the Tree of Knowledge.

Clipart from Clipart Library.
Garden of Eden
That apple is infamous for being the thing that caused the "Fall" of humankind (falling from immortality to mortality).

The story goes that the first two humans (Adam and Eve) were placed in a garden which had two trees:  The Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.  Adam and Eve were allowed to eat of anything edible in the garden except the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.  And, they were warned if they did, they would become mortal.

The serpent (a speaking reptilian) tempted Eve and she did eat.  Then, she gave it to Adam to eat.

Source:  Holy Bible.

6th century B.C. Greece; Aesop's Fables. The peasant and the apple tree.
  I won't relate the story here.  I'll just give a link to the story...
Source:  Infoplease.
1307
November 18th
William Tell's Apple

Picture from TV-Tropes.
Switzerland As far as I can tell, there is a tall tale about a man named William Tell, who shot an apple off his son's head, and his son lived to tell about it.  (Apparently, it is a true story).

The story goes that William Tell refused to bow down to the Emperor's hat, and the Emperor had him arrested.  When the Emperor realized that William Tell was a great archer (with crossbow); the emperor offered William a deal.  If you shoot an apple off your son's head, I will let you go free.  So, William agreed, rather than go to jail.

The son was tied a tree and an apple placed upon his head.  Then, William took two arrows from his quiver, and used one to shoot the apple on his son's head.

When the emperor asked him why he took two arrows out of his quiver, William replied:  "If I had killed my son, the other arrow would have been for you."

Source:  Wikipedia.

1666
Woolsthorpe Apple
of Sir Isaac Newton

Clipart from Clipart Library.
Lincolnshire, England That apple is famous for falling on Sir Isaac Newton's head, inspiring him to investigate the phenomenon of gravity.

Source:  University of York.

1812
The poisoned apple
that the Evil Queen gave to Snow White.

Clipart from Clipart Library.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves story. The original story was written by the Brothers Grimm in 1812, and it was entitled: "Snow White".

The poisoned apple is famous for being the enchanted object that was intended to kill Snow White, but she was protected by her fairy godmother, and it only put her to sleep until she would be awakened by true love's kiss.

Source:  Wikipedia.

1964
The Giving Tree's apples.
Shel Silverstein's Book The Giving Tree was an apple tree, and she gave her apples to a boy, so that he could sell them for money.
1976
Steve and Steve's Apple

Cupertino, California Steve Wazniak and Steve Jobs started apple computer company in 1976.

Steve Jobs said that 3 apples have changed the world.  The first was Adam & Eve's apple.  The second was the apple that fell on Newton's head.  And the third apple was the one that he and Wazniak had created.

Source:  Medium.

2007~
Assassin's Creed's:

"Apple of Eden"

Assassin's Creed Game The Isu (and alien race) use the apple of Eden to control humans.

It has the powers of illusory configuration, and...

Human mind control.

Source:  Wiki Fandom.

 

 

 

Apple World Records

World Record Date / Place More Info.
Heaviest/Biggest
Apple
2005 / Hirosaki, Japan It was a hybrid of a Crispin apple and a Fuji apple.  It was grown/picked by Crisato Iwasaki.  It weighed 4 lbs 1 oz.

Source:  A-Z Animals.

Smallest
Commercially-available
Apple
2010 / New Zealand Rockit Apples are comparable in size to the Tiddly Pomme (below) and both come from New Zealand.  Or are they called "Rockits" in the U.S., and "Tiddly Pommes" in the U.K.?  Are they the same apple?

Source:  Minnetonka Orchards.  

Smallest
Commercially-available
Apple
2013 / New Zealand David Cranwell of New Zealand discovered these tasty little bites by accident.  They are called Tiddly Pommes.  They are 42mm in diameter (the size of a golf ball).  [Note:  The Rockit claims to be slightly smaller than a golf ball; so would that make them smaller?]

Source:  Huffington Post.

Deadliest
Apple in the World


Florida / Caribbean It is known as the "Death Apple", but its real name is Manchineel.

The Spaniards, when first arriving in the Caribbean, called these fruits "Little Apples of Death".

Eating one may not cause you to die, but in theory, it could cause someone to die.  It causes intense swelling and pain to any part of the body that touches it.  Even touching any part of the tree causes blistering and intense pain.

Are manchineel part of the apple faminly?  No.  But, they look very similar to apples and apple trees.

Source:  Wikipedia.

Tastiest
Apple in the World
1997
Washington State University
That's a matter of taste, but my family's favorite is the "Cosmic Apple".

It was developed by Washington State University in 1997.
Source:  Specialty Produce.

 

 

 

Apple Superstition and Magic

Country / Culture Superstition?
or Magic?
More Info.
UK Superstition - Share an apple and make a friend.
- Never cut an apple tree for its wood; only burn what has fallen; or bad luck will ensue.
- If the first apple from a young apple tree is eaten by a woman with many children, then the tree will have many fruitful seasons.
- A dream with healthy apples foretells long life to the dreamer.
- Don't ever take apple blossoms inside, for they will cause illness to the household.
Source:  South Devon.
UK Magic - Write a spell.  Cut an apple in half and place the spell inside.  Then, plant the apple thusly.  When the apple fully rots, the spell will come to pass.
-  Apple blossom is added to love potions/spells.
Source:  South Devon.
Ancient Rome Superstition - If you are single, throw an apple seed into a fire while saying the name of the one you love.  If the apple seed pops, your love is requited.  If the apple seed burns quietly, your love is unrequited.
Source:  Chef's Pencil.
Celtic Tradition Superstition - If you are single (and female) you could eat an apple while looking into a mirror; and when done, the image your future husband should appear in the mirror behind you.
Source:  Chef's Pencil.
19th Cent. USA Superstition - Cut an apple in half and count the seed you see.  That will tell you how many children you will have.
Source:  Chef's Pencil.
Hebrew Superstition During Rosh Hashanah (New Year of Hebrew Calendar, which typically is in September), one must eat sliced apples dipped in honey for a prosperous new year.
Source:  Good Luck Symbols.
UK / Ireland Lore / Magic Finding a bough on an apple tree, with blossoms, unripe apples and ripe apples was said to be a gateway from/to the Fairy world.
Source:  Greenmanmeadow.

 

 

 

Apple Traditions
(around the world)

Country / Culture Tradition More Info.
UK/USA Wassailing Wassailing was done during the winter solstice time, since long before Christianity came, but it turned into Christmas Caroling.  The traditional drink of wassailing (and ultimately Christmas caroling) was hot apple cider.
Jewish Rosh Hashanah
Traditional food
At the Jewish New Year, it is traditional to eat sliced apples dipped in honey, to ensure a prosperous new year.
At Hanukkah, Jews will eat apple sauce.
Source: Ambrosia Apples.
USA 4th of July
Traditional food.

May 13th
National Apple Pie Day?

Apparently, it was traditional to eat apple pie on the 4th of July, because traditionally apple pie was invented to show that America was different from the U.K.  This has fallen out of tradition, 'cause I don't remember ever eating apple pie on the 4th of July.

And it seems odd, because the apples wouldn't have been ripe by July 4th, would they have?  In my family, apple pie was served as an alternative to pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving (for those who didn't like pumpkin pie).

Nowadays, May 13th is national apple pie day.  (Go figure).

Scotland Birth of a Boy:
Plant an apple tree.
The tradition was to plant an apple tree at the birth of a boy, and a pear tree at the birth of a girl.  (Not a current tradition).
Source:  National Records of Scotland.
Germany
Christmas
    Ornaments
Apparently, apples were the original Christmas tree ornaments, either as they were, or wrapped in golden paper.


Source:  Ambrosia Apples.

UK
Left-overs for the Pixies.

Halloween
          Tradition.

- Apples left-over from the harvest were left for the pixies.
See my page on "The Little People" (from all around the world).
- In Cornwall, people were given Pippin Apples for good luck at Halloween.
Source:  St. Ives Orchard.
UK
(especially Ireland).
Halloween
          Traditions.


(Samhain Traditions)

During the holy night of Samhain, it was traditional to leave apples and pomegranates out for their deceased loved ones, as it was believed that on that last night of the Celtic year, Hel (Loki's daughter) would open the gates of the Underworld and allow the spirits of the dead to roam the Earth for one night.
Source:  Greenmanmeadows.

The End

And, if you liked that, here are my other "All-About" pages:

All about Cats.

All about Christmas.
(The ancient winter-solstice tradition of Yule).

All about Cryptids.
(Bigfoot, Lake/Sea Monsters, Mermaids, etc.).

All about Dr. Seuss.

All about Halloween.
{The ancient Celtic tradition of Sam-wHain (Summer Wanes)}.

All about the "Little People"
(Elves, Dwarves, Gnomes, Leprechauns, etc.)

All about the Moon.

All about World Mythology.

 

 

 

 


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