Apple Tree Symbolism
by Kathleen Karlsen, Author of Flower Symbols
The apple tree is symbolic of magic, youth, beauty and happiness. The energy of blossoms bursting forth in spring and summer encourages us to take on new challenges and renews our strength. The blossoms of apples are pink, a modified red.
Apple Blossom Symbolism
In terms of color symbolism, the color red encourages action, motion, courage and passion. Pink is a more sophisticated color that is often more appealing to adults than pure red. Pink is also gentler and more appropriate for healing. Pink can be used to relieve depression. As the color of warmth and love, pink offers comfort while encouraging motion and an outward orientation.
Apple Blossoms and the Fire Element
The secondary energy of apple blossoms is the fire energy associated with the pink color. Fire connotes warmth, passion and relationships. Fire creates enthusiasm. Images with a strong fire element are appropriate for supporting romance and idealistic endeavors.
Apple Tree Symbolism in World Mythology
The apple has long been associated with immortality, as exemplified by its role in the tempting of Adam in the Garden of Eden. In addition, the mystical Isle of Avalon, famed place of eternal rest for Celtic heroes including king Arthur, is literally “the apple land” or “apple island.” In Scandinavian myths, the North-European gods and goddesses were fed an apple every evening by Iduna, the goddess of spring and youth who nurtures an apple orchard in Asgard.
Apple Tree History and Cultivation
The apple has a venerable history. The apple tree is originally a native of Europe and has adapted well to the North American continent. There are over 1,000 varieties of apples cultivated in the United States, all of which are descended from the wild crab apple. Apple trees flower from April to June.
Apple Tree Symbolism in the United States
The apple tree is the state symbol of Washington, known for its prolific apple orchards. The apple blossom is the state flower for Arkansas, once a top apple-producing state in the United States.
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Legend of Johnny Appleseed
As far as modern myths and legends go, Johnny Appleseed is the most prominent American legend associated with apples. Born John Chapman in 1774, Johnny Appleseed lived for about 12 years near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In his mid-twenties, Johnny began his journey westward with an eye for providing settlers with apple trees and saplings.
Johnny Appleseed’s Travels
There was a law at the time that required settlers to plant 50 apple trees in their first year on newly acquired land. This law was aimed at preventing starvation among the settlers. Although Johnny wandered far and wide planting trees, he also owned and leased considerable areas of land for his apple orchards.
Johnny Appleseed’s Spiritual Life
Johnny was a devout Christian who was influenced by the ideas of Emmanuel Swedenborg. Swedenborg valued love and joy above all other virtues. Compared to many of the repressive philosophies then in vogue, his approach to the spiritual life was basically a breath of fresh air for the settlers with whom Johnny shared his religious tracts and Biblical interpretations.
Apple Tree Symbolism in American Culture
Johnny Appleseed spent nearly 50 years traversing the wilderness planting apple trees and tending to his own orchards. Johnny dreamed of a landscape beautified by apple blossoms and a country where no one would go hungry. Johnny is reported to have believed that apples are among “the finest things on earth.” Today the American apple industry today is worth billions of dollars. And thanks to Johnny Appleseed and the symbolism of trees, nothing is more American than apple pie!
Kathleen Karlsen is an author, musician, artist, and composer. She has written three books (The Color-Music Connection, Flower Symbols, and Vocal Medicine) and over 200 articles. Her YouTube channel features over 600 videos. Kathleen and her family live in Bozeman, Montana, USA.
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