[One Thousand Characters a Day] The World Seen Through Symbols <5> - The Most Tempting Fruit

Editor's NoteThe core message of ＜The World Seen Through Symbols＞, introduced over a total of five installments until today, is that "all stories communicate through symbols." Symbols are embedded in the proverbs we use daily, in clothing, religion, and artworks. By exploring how these symbols came to be, what meanings they hold, which symbols are similar or different, and the most representative symbols in various fields, one can naturally and fluidly learn about multiple religions and myths, as well as the philosophies and histories of East and West throughout the ages. Finally, we examine the diverse symbols contained in the universally recognized and familiar fruit, the "apple." Word count: 1076 characters.

In our traditional culture, the apple is a fruit symbolizing 'removing misfortune and inviting good fortune (Jeaekchobok, 除厄招福),' and it is an indispensable offering in mountain spirit rituals and ancestral rites. In China, the apple symbolizes 'peace' and 'harmony' because the first character of the Chinese word for apple, 'pingguo (?果),' sounds the same as 'ping (平),' which means peace. Therefore, there was a custom of giving apples to elders on New Year's Day as a wish for their peace throughout the year. Young people reportedly exchange apples as gifts on Christmas Eve, which is called 'Ping'an Ye (平安夜)' in Chinese, meaning 'peaceful night,' blessing each other to spend the night peacefully while eating apples. However, these customs are said to be gradually disappearing as they are considered Western traditions nowadays.

The apple can be called the quintessential fruit, which might explain why it frequently appears in religion and mythology. When you think of an apple, which apple comes to your mind first?

The oldest apple in history could be the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil mentioned in the Bible's Book of Genesis. This fruit is described as the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, which, when eaten, imparts knowledge of good and evil. However, the Bible does not explicitly state what this fruit actually was. It is said that Eve, deceived by the serpent's temptation, ate the fruit described as "pleasing to the eye and good for food, and also desirable for gaining wisdom," thereby committing original sin. But why did this fruit become identified as an apple?

The Latin word for apple tree, 'malum,' also means 'evil (malus),' which led people to infer that the Tree of Knowledge was an apple tree. Consequently, in paintings of the Garden of Eden, the Tree of Knowledge is often depicted as an apple tree, and Eve is shown offering an apple to Adam beneath it. Ultimately, this apple came to symbolize humanity's fall, while in paintings where Jesus or the Virgin Mary hold an apple, it is interpreted as symbolizing humanity's salvation and forgiveness of sins. (Omitted)

Thus, the apple is a very alluring fruit that tempts humans from the Book of Genesis onward. When you see a ripe red apple, don't you want to take a bite? Perhaps for this reason, the bitten apple-shaped logo has become the most famous symbol in modern times.

- Kim Nangye, ＜The World Seen Through Symbols＞, Changbi Education, 15,000 KRW