6. The Apple Has Long Been A Sexual Symbol

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6. The Apple Has Long Been A Sexual Symbol

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

6. The Apple Has Long Been A Sexual SymbolThe apple has long had symbolic sexual connotations. Of course, nowhere does the Bible say or imply that the forbidden fruit Eve plucked from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was an apple. According to the biblical account, it could have been any kind of fruit. Nevertheless, the apple has long been a symbol of Original Sin in Christian art and literature. So why is the apple so closely associated with the forbidden fruit eaten by Eve?In the early Middle Ages, the forbidden fruit was often identified as a fig, not an apple. The apple later replaced the fig as the symbol for the forbidden fruit. "Malum" in Latin meant both "apple" and "evil."But there was more to it than that. The apple has numerous sexual connotations. Therefore, since many interpreters throughout Judeo-Christian history have understood the sin of Adam and Eve to have something to do with a sexual transgression of one sort or another, it shouldn't be surprising that the apple was the fruit of choice to depict the sin of Eden.The apple has multiple symbolic meanings, many of which are sexual. Erotic associations likened apples to female breasts, while the core of an apple cut in half has often been compared to a woman's vagina. In ancient mythology, Dionysus, the god of intoxication, created the apple and presented it to Aphrodite, the goddess of love.The apple has also been used as a symbol of fertility. The earth-goddess Ge (or Gaea) gave an apple to Hera to insure fertility after her betrothal to Zeus. In Athens, newlyweds divided an apple, then ate it prior to entering the bridal chamber.Sending or tossing apples was also a part of courtship. According to folklore, the apple is one of many foods believed to possess aphrodisiac powers. In ancient Greece, if a man wanted to propose, he would simply toss the lady of his affection an apple. If she caught it, he knew she had accepted his offer.In Germany, during medieval times, a man who ate an apple that was steeped in the perspiration of the woman he loved was very likely to succeed in the relationship.Throughout history, apples have symbolized pleasure, love, and fertility.Of course, all of this does not prove that the sin of Adam and Eve had anything to do with sex. But it is a strong indication that many interpreters throughout history did believe their sin was a sexual transgression. Posted by at 6:40 AM

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

hello.. I liked your post. I would like to ask you something:do you think it is appropriate for a girl to give her man half an apple as a gift on his birthday (of course along with other gifts)? do you think it is a sexy gesture?your feedback please :)

January 14, 2008 at 5:37 AM Tom Gruber said...

I definitely think it is a sexy gesture. Whether or not your man will interpret it as such is another matter. Unfortunately, much of the sexual symbolism of apples has been lost in our day and age. Today, an apple is mainly regarded as a symbol of the forbidden fruit and the fall of humanity in Eden. Unlike the Christians of a few centuries ago, few people today really believe that the sin of Adam and Eve had anything to do with a sexual transgresion. Whether or not you think it is appropriate to give your man half an apple for his birthday is your call. You know him a lot better than I do. All I can say is, if my girl gave me such a gift, it would be greatly appreciated.

January 14, 2008 at 7:38 PM Anonymous said...

Thanks a lot for your feedback. :) Highly appreciated.

January 17, 2008 at 2:58 AM Tom Gruber said...

You're very welcome.

January 17, 2008 at 7:27 PM

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An Apple as the forbidden fruit

An Apple as the forbidden fruit The apple has long been a symbol for the forbidden fruit. But did Adam and Eve "really" eat an apple? Or was it some other kind of fruit?

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Tom Gruber In 2001, I published a book through Trafford Publishing entitled: What the Bible "REALLY" says about... SEX: A New Look at Sexual Ethics from a Biblical Perspective. Here are a few of the key points: (1) Marriage, as we know it, was instituted after the fall as a result of the fall. (2) There are two kinds of sex: Responsible Sex and Irresponsible Sex. Sex outside of Marriage can be and usually is irresponsible, but not necessarily. (3) Alternative lifestyles, such as swinging and polyamory, can be practiced responsibly and therefore, they are not sinful per se. (3) There is sex in Heaven. In fact, there is polyamorous sex in Heaven. These ideas have been met with great resistance in the Christian community. I still believe much, if not most, of what I believed back in 2001. But I am constantly refining my beliefs and subjecting them to rigid scrutiny. Ultimately, I believe the Bible is the final court of arbitration for all Christians. ChristiansTalkingAboutSex.com is a Christian site dedicated to seeking the truth regarding sexual ethics. View my complete profile  

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HOME PAGE/ HOT TOPICS POLYGAMY Is Polygamy A Sin? One of the greatest challenges facing Christianity today is the question of polygamy. Is polygamy a sin? If so, why? If not, why not?The polygamy issue is both complex and controversial. Since there are plenty of good arguments on each side, Christianity has reached a stalemate regarding whether or not polygamy is a sin. Even giants of the faith have been divided on this issue. Luther and Calvin, for example, took opposite views. Sincere Christians today are still divided. To find out more, CLICK HERE. RELATED TOPICS How Does The Polygamy Issue Affect Missions? /What Do Surveys Say About Polygamy? /What Did Augustine Say About Polygamy? //What Did Thomas Aquinas Say About Polygamy? /What Did Luther Say About Polygamy? /What Did John Calvin Say About Polygamy? /What Did Billy Graham Say About Polygamy? /What Did John MacArthur Say About Polygamy? /What Did R.C. Sproul Say About Polygamy? //What Did John G. 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