The Big Apple

by Mark R. Vogel

The apple is one of the most ubiquitous foods in the annals of mankind. Few foods are as prevalent in our history, mythology, and psychosocial culture as the apple.

This is particularly manifested in the apple's symbolism. It has run the gamut from good to bad; representing love, sensuality, beauty, wisdom, inspiration, temptation and evil. Consider the following:

In the premier example of its symbolism, the Devil tempted Eve into sin with an apple. Conversely, in 400 AD, St. Jerome advised his monks to labor on apple and other fruit trees to in order to eschew sloth and the Devil.

In Greek mythology, Gaia, or Mother Earth, presented Zeus with a tree of golden apples on his wedding day as a symbol of love. Yet it was this same type of apple that played a role in sparking the legendary Trojan War in ancient Greece.

It was a falling apple that supposedly bestowed Isaac Newton with the epiphany that led to his discovery of the laws of gravity and motion.

The mythical William Tell shot an apple resting on his son's head to prove his prowess with a crossbow and escape persecution from the government. New York City is known as the "Big Apple."

And who could forget Snow White's stepmother's nefarious plan to poison her with an apple?

When we love someone they are the "apple of our eye." The apple's health benefits are espoused by the phrase: "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

When we wish to ingratiate our self with the teacher, we give her the gift of an apple. Yet when we wish to add salt to someone's wound, we vengefully query "How do you like those apples?"