Cucumber Fruit Symbolism Facts & Literature: Astrology, Omens, Dreams, and Legends
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Cucumber Fruit Symbolism & Meaning
It is said that the Cucumber’s very shape signifies growth, abundance, and creative energy. The fruit also represents fertility and the potential for new beginnings. In fact, it can be found in several emblems to represent an organization.
The Cucumber Company enriches people’s lives through the use of technology. Established in New Zealand in the year 2004 with a logo showcasing an abstract icon resembling a slice of Cucumber. Their emblem may be simple but what it represents is deeper than what it seems. This company helps businesses solve complex problems, gives life to their designs, and supports their growth, bringing about creative energy.
Cucumber Recruitment which was founded in 2018 is one of the leading healthcare staffing agencies in the UK, dedicated to providing the most qualified healthcare professionals that best meet your needs and are right for you. Their icon features a type of network in the form of a Cucumber, inside a speech bubble or a dialogue balloon.
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Cucumber Fruit Positive & Negative Symbolism
It is believed that the Cucumber symbolizes the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Unlike other vine fruits, the Cucumber completes its cycle attached to the vine. It grows, ripens, withers, and ultimately perishes on the vine until it produces seeds for the next generation. Furthermore, detaching itself from the vine or harvesting the Cucumber denotes freedom – the liberation from whatever limits its growth.
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Cucumber Fruit Origin
No one really knows the origin of Cucumber, but long before it was known as cucumis in Latin. It was believed to come from a pre-Italic Mediterranean language which is just a fancy way of saying that they have absolutely no idea what it is. The fruit has been grown all over the world long before. It even has an Old English equivalent – eorthappel – which literally means earth apple, a word mostly mentioned in translations of the Bible.
In 18th-century England, the fruit was seen to be a bit better than trash and was made to be animal fodder and was named cowcumber. However, after a guy named Tom Newburne reportedly died from eating the fruit, with another person dying of a similar cause, the fruit was then deemed poisonous. After having a rather bad reputation, the fruit, later on, gained popularity as girkins which was believed to be rare, and developed into what we now know as pickles.
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Cucumber Fruit Cultural Symbolism
In ancient Egypt, the Cucumber is a symbol of happiness and fertility. It was even used as medicine for sore throats, headaches, and constipation.
The Chinese believed it had cleansing and cooling properties. It was also used to treat skin conditions. Furthermore, they promoted it for use if you wanted to lose weight and improve your digestion.
For Greeks and Romans, it was considered a valuable food source and was served at banquets. It was also used for its medicinal properties to cure sunburn, scorpion bites, and even bad breath.
The Indians used the fruit’s cooling properties and was especially eaten on hot days. They also found it beneficial for use as medicine for arthritis and high blood pressure.
Cucumbers were considered a staple food for Persians and were also served at royal banquets. They were also used for headaches and constipation.
In modern times, the fruit is still very popular for salads, and sandwiches, and is mostly used as a common ingredient in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. Furthermore, it is also being used in cosmetics for its cooling and hydrating properties.
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Cucumber Fruit in Art and Literature
Carlo Crivelli, a famous Italian Renaissance painter is known to incorporate Cucumbers in his works. It is thought that while apples are a sign of sin, the Cucumber on the other hand is the symbol of Christ – of redemption, and resurrection. You can spot the Cucumbers in his paintings.
In Madona and Child, ca. 1480 which can be found in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, you can see a Cucumber displayed at the top left corner of the painting among the apples. In his work The Dead Christ with the Virgin, St. John and St. Mary Magdalene, 1485 in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, you will see the Cucumber placed next to apples once again. Lastly, in The Annunciation, with Saint Emidius, 1486 in the National Gallery in London, you will notice that the Cucumber is placed in the foreground, balancing on the ledge.
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Cucumber Favorite Fruit: Traits and Personality
Cucumber lovers tend to be calm and collected. If it is your favorite food then it could only mean you value health and wellness above all else. It could also indicate that you are a down-to-earth person who prefers simplicity.
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Cucumber Fruit in Astrology or Zodiac
Having a high water content, it is no surprise that the Cucumber is linked to Scorpios – a water sign. Known for their calm and cool exterior, are very dependable and have a lot of potential for growth. Scorpio is one of the zodiac signs that are mentally strong with a deeply emotional nature.
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Cucumber Fruit in Dreams
Dreaming of a Cucumber can mean a number of things. Due to its freshness and cooling properties. Seeing a Cucumber in a dream could mean you are in dire need of emotional or physical rejuvenation. It is a sign to relax and recoup your energy, to take care of your mental health and your physical well-being.
Eating one in a dream means you have to pay attention to your health and nurture both your mental and emotional state, to embrace the positive energy that will lead to growth and renewal. On the other hand, dreaming of Cucumbers when you are sick is a positive sign, indicating a swift and speedy recovery!
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Cucumber Fruit Omens and Superstitions
There are various superstitions revolving around Cucumbers. People say Cucumbers should always be planted before the sun rises or else, they will only be destroyed by bugs. Another is the placing of Cucumber slices under your feet to ground your energy and relieve stress.
In some folklore, they believe that planting Cucumbers around your home or garden wards off bad spirits and brings protection. It is also said that dreaming of a withered or decaying Cucumber is considered a bad omen, indicating potential troubles or loss.
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Cucumber Fruit Legends, Mythology, and Folklore
In Japanese folklore, Cucumbers play an important role and serve as offerings for the kappa – a kind of water god that is highly knowledgeable, proud, and stubborn yet fiercely honorable and mischievous in nature who loves Cucumbers. In return for the Cucumbers, the kappa will help humans irrigate their fields. According to legend, the kappa is also the one who taught humans the art of bone setting.
In Slavic traditions, Cucumbers were believed to provide protection against evil spirits. It was also seen as a symbol of fertility and growth and therefore used in rituals to ensure a bountiful harvest.
