Candy Apple: History and Symbolism

The Candy Apple: An Iconic Valentine’s Day Treat

The candy apple is, above all, a romantic confection, made from a freshly picked apple, coated in red caramelized sugar, and stuck on a stick.

But beyond its deliciousness, the apple is also a powerful symbol of love and desire, thanks to its passionate red color… and its fascinating history. At Vergers Petit et Fils, this symbolism is cherished to properly celebrate Valentine’s Day. Here’s a look back at the apple’s journey as a symbol of love, from Antiquity to modern times.

 

A Biblical Tale: The Apple, Fruit of Original Sin

The Story of Adam and Eve: A Sultry Origin

In Genesis, the foundational book of the Bible, the apple is often associated with the forbidden fruit eaten by Eve and then offered to Adam.

• This fruit grows on the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden.
• The serpent, embodiment of evil, tempts Eve to take a bite.
• Adam follows, and both are then cast out of paradise.
• The result? Humanity becomes mortal… but discovers sexuality.

“The apple thus becomes a symbol of carnal desire, sin, and temptation.”

 

A Latin Confusion Behind the Myth

Interestingly, in the original biblical text, the forbidden fruit isn’t clearly identified as an apple.

• In Latin, pomum means “fruit.”
• Malum can mean both “apple” and “evil.”
• The Tree of Evil becomes the apple tree (malus), reinforcing the symbolic link between apple, sin, and sexuality.

 

The Apple in Our Culture: From the Human Body to Art

Anatomy: Adam’s Apple

Did you know? The thyroid cartilage, known as the Adam’s apple, gets its name from this biblical legend. It is said that a piece of the apple got stuck in Adam’s throat.

This body part, found only in men, is often associated with deep, seductive male voices.

 

Art and the Renaissance: Venus and Cupid

In Italian Renaissance painting, the apple appears in the hands of Venus, the Roman goddess of love, often accompanied by Cupid.

• Cupid, Venus’ son, is a little winged archer.
• He sparks love with a single arrow to the heart.
• One arrow + one apple? Love hits hard and right on target!

This symbolism is rooted in Greco-Roman mythology, where:

• Cupid is the Roman counterpart to Eros, the origin of the word erotic.
• His mother, Aphrodite, inspired the term aphrodisiac.
• Cupido means “desire” in Latin.

 

 

The Apple in Modern Fairy Tales: Snow White and Temptation

The Poisoned Apple: A Deadly Seduction Symbol

The story of Snow White, popularized by Disney in 1937, also features a tempting apple.

• The princess, drawn in by its beauty, bites into the apple offered by the wicked queen.
• She falls into an eternal sleep, broken only by a kiss of true love.

This tale, based on the Brothers Grimm’s version (1812), once again portrays the apple as a trigger for desire and romantic vulnerability.

 

FAQ

What does the candy apple symbolize?

The candy apple represents desire, passion, and temptation. Both sweet and dangerous, it evokes love in all its dimensions: romantic, carnal, and mythological.

 

Why is the apple associated with original sin?

This association stems from a Latin translation mix-up between malum (apple) and malus (evil). The forbidden fruit became an apple in the collective imagination.

 

What’s the link between Cupid and the apple?

In mythology, Cupid is the archer of love. The image of an apple pierced by an arrow symbolizes the fusion of sexual desire (the apple) and romantic love (Cupid).