World-class celebrities, i.e. apples in pop culture
Apples are primarily a delicious, aromatic meal. In many cultures – also European – this fruit has a symbolic dimension, as well. We present a list of six famous apples, which over the years have firmly rooted themselves both in pop culture and in the consciousness of hundreds of recipients from around the world. Are you familiar with all apple celebrities?
An apple and a princess
Among the famous apple celebrities, there should certainly be a place for the fruit known from the fairy tale about Snow White. The story of Snow White was first written by the Brothers Grimm in the 19th century. The fairy tale presents the fate of Snow White, whose life was threatened by an evil stepmother. Driven by envy, the woman gave the girl a poisoned apple. After tasting it, the princess fell into a deep sleep. Snow White’s distraught friends, the dwarves, put Snow White in a glass coffin, thinking that she had died. Fortunately, the girl regained consciousness, which she owes – depending on the version – to the fact that a piece of poisoned fruit fell out of her mouth when the glass coffin was being carried or to the prince’s kiss on her lips.
An apple and a crossbow
The motif of an apple also appears in the story of William Tell, the legendary Swiss national hero. In the Middle Ages, he supposedly refused to bow before the symbol of imperial power. Tell was then arrested, which was not the end of his ordeal. He was ordered to shoot an apple placed on his own son’s head with a crossbow – if he missed, both of them would die. However, the crossbowman sent the bolt straight to the target, allegedly becoming the inspiration for a national uprising.
An apple and a scientist
Another of the famous apples is said to have contributed to a better understanding of the world around us. We are talking about the theory of gravity and the 17th century British scientist Isaac Newton who explored it. Legend has it that for Isaac Newton, the breakthrough moment in this matter came when he watched apple trees and their fruits fall from the branches to the ground. It was then that the scientist was to start thinking about why a falling apple always goes straight towards the earth and its centre, and not to the side or up. In some versions of the story, the apple falls directly on Isaac Newton’s head – but these speculations are not confirmed by William Stukeley’s biography of the scientist. The famous apple tree is said to still grow on the Woolsthorpe estate where Isaac Newton was born.
An apple and a computer
Apple, being the name of the international IT company Apple Inc. founded by Steve Jobs, Stephan Wozniak and Ronald Wayne in the late 1970s in the United States, can definitely boast of world-class fame. Although there are many theories about the origins of the company’s name, in the biography of Steve Jobs, its author Walter Isaacson argues that Jobs chose it because he simply liked apples. What is worth adding, not only the name, but also the company’s logo refers to the fruit. Initially, the logo of Apple Inc. depicted Isaac Newton himself sitting under an apple tree. In 1977, however, his image was replaced with the characteristic bitten apple.
An apple and a big city
The apple motif also appears in the context of one of the cities in the United States – New York. This impressive metropolis has been called the City that never sleeps, the Cauldron of Cultures or the Big Apple for decades. The last of New York’s nicknames probably first appeared in a text written by journalist John J. Fitzgerald, who covered horse racing. Supposedly he picked up the term from jockeys talking about winning on the track in New York as a big apple, something desirable and important. In the following years, the nickname was popularized by jazz musicians. Currently, the large red apple is considered one of the iconic symbols of New York City.
An apple and three beauties
An apple also appears in Greek mythology. It was this fruit, on which the inscription “for the most beautiful” was written, that quarrelled the three goddesses – Aphrodite, Athena and Hera. Each of them wanted it to come to her. The apple was finally given to the Trojan prince, Paris. Bribed with the promise of winning the hand of Helena, the prince’s chosen one, Paris gave the fruit to Aphrodite. Thus, he indirectly led to the outbreak of the Trojan War.
European apples – every reason to reach for them is good!
European apples are also an important symbol – a symbol of high quality that distinguishes fruit produced in the EU. EU fruit, including apples, ensures high quality, among others, thanks to the strict restrictions in force in the Community, to which the entire production process is subject. No wonder that aromatic apples from the EU, like the fruits known from pop culture, are so popular. As statistics show, more and more recipients from various corners of the world reach for them!
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