Why is it that an apple represents a teacher in education?

Question

This is just one ofmy many questions as a learn about my future career...

Answer 1

Partly from the Greeks and the "Classics", where the apple was the symbol of Knowledge.
There are numerous stories invovling special apples in Greek Mythology: The Apples of the Hesperides and the Apple of Discord (which led, eventually, to the Trojan War) are two.

Then add to that the idea of 'being nice' to the teacher and bringing him/her something and you get "An apple for the teacher". Most people would not have had any idea that they were, symbolically, giving back to the teacher the wisdom s/he had given them!

Just saw someone beat me to replying. But have to differ re their quoting the Bible. The apple is seen as the fruit of the Tree Adam and Eve were not to eat of, so could be Knowledge, in that sense. But it was only when Latin became the dominant language that there was any suggestion the 'fruit' (unnamed) was an apple. This is because 'malum' is both "apple" and "evil" in Latin.The writer(s) of Genesis, 1st Book of the Bible, had had no contact with the Greeks, so could have had no intention of the apple being the symbol of both Knowledge and the Fall/Evil!

Answer 2

Based on the Greeks and also possibly the Bible. Apples are the fruits of knowledge. Think Athena and Sir Issac Newton.

Answer 3

Apple - Adam and Eve

Apple a day keeps the doctor away.

When people couldn't afford much for a present, fruit or a fruit basket was very nice and acceptable for a gift.

GOD bless

Answer 4

this is the Fruit of understanding, in accordance to the bible. That has carried down with the help of time. save in ideas, that for many mankind's history over the past 2000 years, biblical references were popular. college is preparation, is understanding, is the Fruit of understanding..... is an apple.