The “Golden Fruit” in the Breads of Life between Heaven and Earth - On the Significance of Citrus Fruits in Christmas Bread and Gingerbread (Die „goldene Frucht“ in den Broten des Lebens zwischen Himmel und Erde - Zur Bedeutung der Zitrusfrüchte in Christbrot und Lebkuchen)
Author : Helmut-Eberhard Paulus
Abstract :
Since the Roman poet Virgil, the Golden Apple and the paradisiacal Golden Fruits have been a metaphor for participation in divine and eternal salvation. They are considered the symbolic fruits of paradise and, together with the evergreen and ever-flowering plants of nature, stand for Elysium, the islands of the blessed and the promised gardens of the Hesperides. Since the time of Virgil, the Golden Apples have been identified with the fruits of the Citrus. To this day, the prized confectionery of candied lemon peel is obtained from Citrus Medica, and the aromatic candied orange peel from Citrus aurantia. Together with the almonds, both products are among the defining ingredients of the respective premium versions of the Christmas stollen and gingerbread. The article traces the terms "Christstollen" and "Elisen gingerbread" and explains them from the allegorical context of paradise breads.
Keywords :
Virgil, Golden Apple, Elysium, Spiritual Symbol, Allegory, Orangery Culture, Orangeries, Citrus, Christmas stollen, Elisen gingerbread, Dresden, Basel, Nuremberg, Festive bread, Fastenbrot, Picture bread.
