Whether the Apple, the Orange, the Pomegranate, the Fig, the Banana, or the Grape was the actual fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, which tempted Eve in Paradise, will possibly never be settled; but it is certain that not only is the Apple mystical above all the fruits of the earth, but it is the supreme fruit. To it has been given the Latin name Pomona, which is the generic name of fruit, just as Pomona is the goddess of all the fruit trees.
The Scandinavian goddess Iduna is in a measure identified with
the Tree of Immortality, which was an Apple tree. Iduna religiously guarded in
a box the Apples which the gods, when they felt old age approaching, had only
to taste the juice of to become young again, the evil genius Loki, having been
instrumental in the abduction of Iduna and renovating Apples, the gods became
old and infirm, and were unable properly to govern the world; they, therefore,
threatened Loki with condign punishment unless he succeeded in bringing back
Iduna and her mystic Apples: this he fortunately succeeded in doing.
The golden Apples which Juno presented to Jupiter on the day
of their nuptials were places under the watchful care of a fearful dragon, in
the garden of the Hesperides; and the obtaining of some of these Apples was one
of the twelve labours of Hercules. By stooping to pick up three of these golden
Apples presented by Venus to Hippomenes, Atalanta lost her race, but gained him
as a husband. The fatal Apple – inscribed DETUR PULCHRIORI – thrown by the
malevolent Discordia into the assembly of the gods, and which Paris adjudged to
Venus, caused the ruin of Troy and infinite misfortune to the Greeks.
The Apple was sacred to Venus, who is often represented with
the fruit in her hand. The Thebans worshipped Hercules, under the name of
Melius, and offered Apples at his altar, the custom having, according to
tradition, originated as follows:
The river Asopus being once so swollen as to prevent some youths
from bringing across it a sheep destined to be sacrificed to Hercules, one of
them recollected that the Apple was called by the same name – Melon. In this
emergency, therefore, it was determined to offer an Apple, with four little
sticks stuck in it to resemble legs, as a substitute for a sheep; and it being
deemed that the sacrifice was acceptable, the Apple was thenceforth devoted to
Hercules.
The god Apollo was sometimes represented with an Apple in
his hand.
The Celtic “Isle of the Blest,” the “far Avalon,” is the
“Island of the Apples,”
“Where falls not hail, or rain, or any snow,
Nor ever wind blows loudly, but it lies
Deep-meadowed, happy, fair with orchard lawns,
And bowery hollows crowned with Summer Sea.”
It has been attempted to localise the Island of Apples
either at Glastonbury, in Somersetshire, or at Aiguilon, in Brittany. A Gaelic
legend which asserts the claims of an island in Loch Awe to be identified as
the Isle of the Blest, changes the mystic Apples into the fruit of the Pyrus
cordata, a species of wild Pear, indigenous both to the Scotch Island and to
Aiguilon.
The Druids highly reverenced the Apple-tree, partly on
account of its fruit, but chiefly because they believed that the Mistletoe
thrived on it and on the Oak only. In consequence of its reputed sanctity,
therefore, the Apple was largely cultivated by the early Britons, and
Glastonbury was known as the “Apple Orchard,” from the quantity of fruit grown
there previous to the Roman invasion. The Druids were wont to cut their
divining rods from the Apple tree.
The Saxons highly prized the Apple, and in many towns established
a separate market for the fruit. The following sentence from their Coronation Benediction
shows with what importance it was regarded: “May the Almighty bless thee with
the blessing of heaven above, and the mountains and the valleys, with the blessings
of the deep below, with the blessing of Grapes and Apples. Bless, O Lord, the
courage of this Prince, and prosper the work of his hands; and by Thy blessing
may this land be filled with Apples, with the fruit and dew of heaven, from the
top of the ancient mountains, from the Apples of the eternal hills, from the
fruits of the earth and its fullness.”
The old Saxon chronicles relate that before the battle of
Senlac, King Harold pitched his camp beside the “hoar Apple tree” – evidently a
well known object, that had doubtless preserved its quondam sacred character.
Saint Serf, when on his way to Fife, threw his staff across the sea, from Inch
Keith to Culross, and this staff, we are told, straightway took root and become
the Apple-tree called Morglas.
Many ancient rites and ceremonies connected with this mystic
tree are still practised in certain parts of the country, whilst others have of
late become obsolete. In remote districts, the farmers and peasantry in
Herefordshire, Devonshire, and Cornwall still preserve the ancient customs of
saluting the Apple trees on Christmas Eve. In some places, the parishioners
walk n procession visiting the principal orchards in the parish. In each
orchard one tree is selected as the representative of the rest; this is saluted
with a certain form of words, which have in them the air of an incantation, and
then the tree is either sprinkled with cider, or a bowl of cider is dashed
against it, to ensure its bearing plentifully the ensuing year. In other
places, the farmer and his servants only assemble on the occasion, and after
immersing cakes in cider, they hang them on the Apple trees. They then sprinkle
the trees with cider, and encircling the largest, they chant the following
toast three times:
“Here’s to thee, old Apple tree,
Whence thou may’st bud, and whence though may’st blow;
And whence though may’st bear Apples enow.
Hats full! Caps full!
Bushel, bushel, sacks full!
And my pockets full, too!
Huzza! Huzza!”
After this the men dance round the tree, and retire to the farmhouse
to conclude, with copious draughts of cider, these solemn rites, which are
undoubtedly relics of paganism.
In Sussex, the custom of ‘worsling’ or ‘wassailing Apple
trees still exists. Formerly it took place, according to the locality, some
time between Christmas Eve and Twelfth Day. The most popular wassail rhyme was
similar to the above, but others were sung by the ‘howlers’. At Chailey this
verse is used:
“Stand fast root, bear well top,
Pray the god send us a good howling crop.
Every twig, Apples big.
Every bough, Apples enow.
Hats full, caps full,
Full quarters, sacks full.”
In West Sussex, during Christmas, the farmer’s labourers
assemble for the purpose of wassailing the Apple trees. A trumpeter sounds
blasts on a bullock’s horn, and the party proceed to the orchard, where they
encircle a tree or group of trees, and chant sonorously:
“Stand fast at root, bear well top,
Every twig, bear Apple big,
Every bough, bear Apple enow.”
A loud shout completes the ceremony, which is repeated till
all the trees in the orchard have been encircled; after which the men proceed
to the homestead, and sing at the owner’s door a song common for the occasion. They
are then admitted, and partake of his hospitality.
At West Wickham, in Kent, a curious custom used to prevail
in Rogation week. The young men went into the orchards, and, encircling each
tree, said:
“Stand fast root, bear well top,
God send us a youling sop;
Every twig, Apple big;
Every bough, Apple enow.”
Cider was formerly not the only drink concocted from the
Apple; another famous potation was called ‘Lambswool’, or more correctly,
lamasool, the derivation of the word being the Celtic lamaesabhal – the day of
Apple fruit. This appellation was given to the first day of November, dedicated
in olden times to the titular saint of fruit and seeds. The Lambswool was
composed of ale and roasted Apples, flavoured with sugar and spice; and a bowl
of this beverage was drunk, with some ceremony, on the last night of October.
Roasted Apples formed an important item in the composition of the famed
wassail-bowl. Shakespeare probably alludes to this beverage in ‘A Midsummer
Night’s Dream’; there we find the mischievous Puck saying:
“Sometimes I lurk in a gossip’s bowl,
In very likeness of a roasted Crab.”
In Sussex, the wassail-bowl was formerly made at Christmas
time; it was compounded of ale, sugar, nutmeg, and roasted Apples, the latter
being called Lambswool. On St. Clement’s day, in East Sussex, the custom exists
of going round from house to house asking for Apples and beer: this is called
Clemmening. A similar custom prevails on St. Catherine’s day, when the children
sing a rhyme commencing:
“Cattern’ and Clemen’ be here, here, here,
Give us your Apples and give us your beer.”
In Lowland Scotland, there is an old charm still practised
by village maidens on Hallow-e’en. It is to go alone into a room, and eat an
Apple in from of a looking-glass, when the face of the future husband will
appear looking over the maid’s shoulder.
In Scotland, on Hallow-e’en, Apples are thrown into a tub of
water, and you endeavour to catch one in your mouth as they bob around in
provoking fashion. When you have caught one, you peel it carefully, and pass
the long strip of peel thrice sunwise round your head, after which you throw it
over your shoulder, and it falls to the ground in the shape of the initial
letter of your true love’s name.
In some places, on this mystic night, a stick is suspended
horizontally from the ceiling, with a candle on one end and an Apple at the
other. While it is made to revolve rapidly, the revellers successively leap up,
and endeavour to grasp the Apple with their teeth (the hands must not be used);
if they fail, the candle generally swings round in time to salute them
disagreeably. Another amusement is to dive for Apples in a tub of water.
In Sussex, on this eve, every person present fastens as
Apple on a string, and hangs and twirls it before the fire. The owner of the
Apple that first falls off is declared to be upon the point of marriage; and as
they fall successively, the order in which the rest of the party will attain to
matrimonial honours is clearly indicated, single blessedness being the lost of
the one whose Apple is the last to drop.
The custom of throwing the peel of and Apple over the head,
marriage or celibacy being foretold by its remaining whole or breaking, is well
known, as is also that of finding a peel so cast the initial of the coming
sweetheart.
Mr. Dyer, in his ‘English Folklore’, details a form of
divination by means of an Apple-pip:
“In Lancashire, in order to ascertain the abode of a lover,
the anxious inquirer moves round in a circle, at the same time squeezing an
Apple-pippin between his finger and thumb. This, on being subjected to
pressure, flies from the rind, in the supposed direction of the lover’s
residence.
Meanwhile, the following rhyme is repeated:
“Pippin, pippin, paradise,
Tell me where my true love lies;
East, west, north, and south,
Pilling brig or Cocker mouth.”
It was formerly customary for Apples to be blessed by
priests on July 25th; and in the manual of the Church of Sarum is
preserved an especial form for this purpose. In Derbyshire, there is a saying
that if the sun shines through the trees on Christmas Day, it ensures a good
crop. In Northamptonshire, if the Apple tree should bloom after the fruit is
ripe, it is regarded as a sure omen of death. In the Apple growing districts,
there is an old saying that if it rains on St. Swithin’s day, it is the Saint
christening the Apples.
De Gubernatis, in his ‘Mythologie des Plantes’, gives
several curious customs connected with the Apple, which are still extant in
foreign countries. In Serbia, when a maiden accepts from her lover an Apple,
she is engaged. In Hungary, a betrothed maiden, after having received from her
lover the ‘engaged’ ring, presents him with an Apple, the special symbol of all
nuptial gifts. Young Greek girls never cease to invoke, upon marriage, the
golden Apple. In Sicily, when a young man is in love, he presents the object of
his affections with a love Apple. At Mount San Giuliano, in Sicily, on St.
John’s day, every young girl throws from the window of her room an Apple into
the street, and watches to see who picks it up: should a woman do so, it is a
sign that the maiden will not be married during the year; if the Apple is only
looked at and not touched, it signifies that the maiden, after her marriage,
will soon become a widow: if the first person passing is a priest, the young
girl will die a virgin. In Montenegro, the mother-in-law presents an Apple to the
young bride, who must try and throw it on the roof of her husband’s house; if
the Apple falls on the roof, the marriage will be blest, that is to say there
will be children. At Taranto, in Southern Italy, at the wedding breakfast, when
the Apples are introduced, each guest takes one, and having pierced it with a
knife, places a piece of silver money into the incision: then all the Apples
are offered to the young bride, who bites each, and takes out the money.
In a Roumanian legend, the infant Jesus, in the arms of the
blessed Virgin, becomes restless, will not go to sleep, and begins to cry. The
Virgin, to calm the Holy Child, gives Him two Apples. The infant throws one
upwards, and it becomes the Moon; He then throws the second, and it becomes the
Sun. After this exploit, the Virgin Mary addresses Him and foretells that He
will become the Lord of Heaven.
In old pictures of St. Dorothea, the virgin martyr is
represented with a basket containing Apples and Roses: this is in allusion to
the legend of her death, which tells that as Dorothea was being led forth to
martyrdom, Theophilus, a lawyer, mockingly bade her send him fruits and flowers
from Paradise. Dorothea inclining her head, said, “Thy request, O Theophilus,
is granted!” Whereat he laughed aloud with his companions, but she went on
cheerfully to death. Arrived at the place of execution, she knelt down and
prayed; and suddenly there appeared at her side a beautiful boy, with hair
bright as sunbeams. In his hand he held a basket containing three Apples and
three fresh-gathered and fragrant Roses. She said to him, “Carry these to
Theophilus, and say that Dorothea hath sent them, and that I go before him to
the garden whence they came, and await him there.” With these words she bent
her neck, and received the death-stroke. Meantime, the angelic boy sought
Theophilus, and placed before him the basket of celestial fruit and flowers,
saying, “Dorothea sends thee these,” and vanished. Struck by the marvellous
incident, Theophilus tasted of the heavenly fruit, and commenced a new life,
following in Dorothea’s footsteps, and eventually obtaining the crown of
martyrdom.
Mr. Dyer quotes the following from ‘Notes & Queries’:
“In South-east Devon and the neighbourhood, a curious legend is, we learn,
current among the farmers respecting St. Dunstan and the Apple trees. It is
said that he bought up a quantity of Barley, and therewith made beer. The
Devil, knowing that the Saint would naturally desire to get a good sale for his
beer, which he had just brewed, went to him and said, that if he would sell
himself to him, the he (the Devil) would go and blight the Apple-trees, so that
there should be no cider, and, consequently there would be a far greater demand
for beer. St. Dunstan, naturally wishing to drive a brisk trade in his beer, accepted
the offer at once; but stipulated that the trees should be blighted in three
days, which days fell on the 17th, 19th and 19th
of May. In the almanacs, the 10th is marked as St. Dunstan’s Day and
as about this time the Apple-trees are in blossom, many anxious allusions are
generally made to St. Dunstan; and should, as is sometimes the case, a sharp
frost nip the Apple-blossoms, they believe they know who has been at the bottom
of the mischief. There seems to be several versions of this legendary
superstition.
According to some, on a certain night in June, three powerful
witches pass through the air, and if they drop certain charms on the blossoming
orchards, the crops will be blighted. In other parts of the country, this is
known as ‘Frankum’s Night,’ and the story is, that long ago, on this night, one
Frankum made ‘a sacrifice’ in his orchard, with the object of getting a
specially fine crop. His spells were answered by blight; and the night is thus
regarded as most critical.”
In a Polish legend, derived doubtless from the myth of the
Hesperides, the hawk takes the place of the dragon. A young princess, through
magic, is shut up in a golden castle situated on a mountain of ice: before the
castle she finds an Apple-tree bearing golden Apples. No one is able to come to
this castle. Whenever a cavalier ascends the side of the ice mountain in order
to release the princess, the hawk darts down and blinds his horse, and both horse and rider are precipitated
down the abyss. At length the appointed hero arrives, slays the hawk, gathers
the golden Apples, and delivers the princess.
According to a Hanoverian legend, a young girl descends tot
the infernal regions by means of a staircase, which she discovers under an
Apple-tree growing at the back of the house. She sees a garden, where the sun
seems to shine more brightly than on earth; the trees are blossoming or are
leaded with fruit. The damsel fills her apron with Apples, which become golden
when she returns to earth.
In the popular tales of all countries, the Apple is
represented as the magical fruit par excellence. The Celtic priests held the
Apple sacred, and in Gaelic, Norse, German and Italian stories it is constantly
introduced as a mysterious and enchanted fruit. Mr. Campbell, in the introduction
to his ‘Tales of the West Highlands’, points out that when the hero wishes to
pass from Islay to Ireland, he pulls out sixteen Apples and throws them into
the sea one after another, and he steps from one to the other. When the giant’s
daughter runs away with the king’s son, she cuts an Apple into a mystical
number of small bits, and each bit talks. When she kills the giant, she puts an
Apple under the hoof of the magic filly, and he dies, for his life is the
Apple, and it is crushed. When the byre is cleansed, it is so clean, that a
golden Apple would run from end to end and never raise a stain. There is a
Gruagach who has a golden Apple, which is thrown at all comers, who, if they
fail to catch it, die. When it is caught and thrown back by the hero, Gruagach
an Ubhail dies. There is a certain game called cluich an ubhail – the Apple
play – which seems to have been a deadly game. When the king’s daughter
transports the soldier to the green island on the magic table-cloth, he finds
magic Apples which transform him, and others which cure him, and by which he
transforms the cruel princess, and recovers his magic treasures. When the two
eldest idle king’s sons go out to herd the giant’s cattle, they find and
Apple-tree whose fruit moves up and down as they vainly strive to pluck it; in
fact, in all Gaelic stories, the Apple when introduced has something marvellous
about it.
So, in the German, in the ‘Man of Iron’, a princess throws a
golden Apple as a prize, which the hero catches three times, and carries off,
and wins. In ‘Snow White’, there the poisoned comb occurs; there is a poisoned
magic Apple also. In the ‘Old Griffin’, the rich princess is cured by
rosy-cheeked Apples. In the ‘White Snake’ a servant who understands the voice of birds, helps
creatures in distress, gets them aid and procures golden Apples from three
ravens which fly over the sea to the end of the world, where stands the tree of
life. When he had got the Apple, he and the princess eat it and marry. Again,
in the ‘Wonderful Hares’ a golden Apple is the gift for which the finder is to
gain a princess; and that Apple grew on a tree, the sole one of its kind.
In Norse it is the same: the princess on the glass mountain
held three golden Apples in her lap, and he who could ride up the hill and
carry off the Apples was to win the prize; and the princess rolled them down to
the hero, and they rolled into his shoe. The good girl plucked the Apples from
the tree which spoke to her when she went down the well to the underground world;
but the ill-tempered step-sister thrashed down the fruit; and when the time of
the trial came, the Apple-tree played its part and protected the poor girl.
In a French tale, a singing Apple is one of the marvels
which Princess Belle Etoile and her brothers and her cousin bring from the end
of the world. In an Italian story, a lady when she has lost her husband goes
off to the Atlantic Ocean with three golden Apples; and the mermaid who has
swallowed the husband shows first his
head, then his body to the waist, and then to the knees, each time for a golden
Apple. Then, finally, in the ‘Arabian Nights’ there is a long story, called the
Three Apples, which turns upon the theft of one, which was considered to have
been of priceless value.
The Apple-blossom is considered to be an emblem of
preference. To dream of Apples betokens long life, success in trade, and a
lover’s faithfulness.
Source : Plant Lore, Legends and Lyrics – 1892 – Richard Folkard
