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Apple Day
"The rosy apple’s bobbing
Upon the mimic sea-
‘Tis tricksy and elusive,
And glides away from me."
~ “A Hallowe’en Wish,” R.K. Munkittrick, 1900
Fond of apples? ’Tis the season for orchard wanderings and the sweet scent of spiced appl cider in the air—apple picking, apple pies, caramel apples, apple fritters, and even apple brandy mark the harvest days of autumn. The many shades of apple—ruby red, golden yellow, russet, and green—are woven right into the tartan hues of this tribute to the apple tree, a pattern that mirrors the richness of the late harvest.
Beyond their place in pies and cider, apples have been at the heart of old Halloween love charms and harvest games. In one such custom, two apple seeds—each named for a possible sweetheart—were pressed to the brow or eyelids, and whichever seed clung longest foretold true love. Another tradition had young women toss apple peels over their shoulders, hoping the curling strips would fall into the shape of their future husband’s initials.
And for those bold enough to tempt fate, there was another Hallowe'en midnight ritual to determine your romantic fate: sitting before a mirror, combing one’s hair, and eating an apple by candlelight— one would wait for the reflection of a destined face to appear in the mirror. And if you're a certain age, you might also have "bobbed" for apples at a Hallowe'en party! How do you like them apples? ! ❤️ 💜 🤎 💚 🍎 🍏 🍎
Apple Day is a celebration of apples and orchards which traditionally falls on October 21, but is part of a month long celebration or large and small events, celebrating the great variety of apples.
This tartan, by designer Carol A.L. Martin, was inspired by her young apple tree's first yield of fruit.
During the Halloween season, many people remember playing the traditional game of Bobbing for Apples (also called Apple Ducking or Snap Apple). The game is played by filling a tub or a large basin with water and floating apples on top. Players then try to catch one with their teeth without using their hands.
Apple traditions date back to the Roman invasion of Britain, when Roman customs and beliefs about the apple as a symbol of fertility were merged with similar Celtic festivals and beliefs and became integrated into harvest festival games. Young unmarried people would try to bite into an apple floating in water or hanging from a string - the first person to bite into the apple would be the next one predicted to marry.
For more on other Halloween apple customs for romantic divination, click the apple tree.