PBP - Apples
Fruit is one of those things that is symbolic in every aspect of life around the world. Some represent love. Some represent indulgence. The one that seems to get the most undeserved flak is the apple.
Adam and Eve
In Judaism and Christianity, Adam and Eve ate an apple, tricked by the Serpent. For this crime, God banished them from the Garden of Eden.
If you've read the Torah or Old Testament, you may notice that the word "apple" doesn't appear. They ate of the "Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil." Scholars believe that when written, the original fruit may have been a pomegranate.
Eris
When Eris was not invited to the marriage of Peleus and Thetis, She decided to cause a little mischief. She threw the Golden Apple of Discord and Paris's feet with the label καλλίστη (to the fairest/most beautiful). Aphrodite, Hera, and Athene all claimed it because of the label. Paris had to choose which Goddess deserved the Apple, and his decision led to the Trojan War.
Except that the fruit changed species over the years here as well. It is believed the fruit was originally a pomegranate.
Aphrodite
There are more links to the apple representing love than strife. Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, was the Goddess that Paris chose to receive the Golden Apple of Discord. She is frequently pictured holding an apple.
Aphrodite gave Hippomenes three irresistible golden apples. Using them, he was able to slow the huntress Atalanta enough to beat her in a footrace. This meant he would marry her rather than be put to death like the other unsuccessful racers.
Persephone
Persephone, Queen of the Underworld, was abducted by Hades, King of the Underworld. He gave Her a pomegranate to eat. Demeter, Goddess of Agriculture and mother of Persephone, demanded her daughter be released. She threatened to end life on Earth otherwise by preventing plant growth.
Persephone was eventually returned, but not before She ate four or six pomegranate seeds. This bound Her to the Underworld. So, it was decided that for each seed eaten, Persephone would spend one month of the year in the Underworld. The rest of the year She may be with Demeter.
Each year, without Persephone, Demeter is saddened. These months are the winter months: the months where there is no agriculture.
Pomegranates
Stop hating on apples. They are delicious, healthy, and easy to eat. Turn your anger toward pomegranates. They're bitter, annoying to clean, and the seeds get stuck in your teeth.