Watermelon Fruit Symbolism Facts & Literature: Astrology, Omens, Dreams, and Legends
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Watermelon Fruit Symbolism & Meaning
Watermelon is hugely associated with the summer months, becoming a symbol of the hot summer days where there is nothing to do but cool off sharing a slice of watermelon with family and friends.
Given how big the watermelon is as a fruit, watermelon slices become symbolic of sharing with family, relationships with friends, and belonging to a community. Watermelons are also linked to joy, happiness, and warmth.
Watermelon is also a symbol of abundance, life, and love as a fruit that can grow in desert climates, it provides needed hydration for those living in the dry desert. Similarly, watermelons are also linked to fertility because of their ability to grow in the desert.
In modern times, watermelons have become a symbol of independence, resilience, and resistance against oppression.
The National Watermelon Promotional Board or NWPB is an Orlando-based non-profit that aims to promote the benefits of the watermelon. Their emblem is a cartoon-style graphic of a slice of watermelon.
Watermelon Co is a non-profit established in 2021 that aims to promote Palestinian culture and aid in the on-ground relief efforts in Palestine. Their emblem is an upright cartoon-style graphic of a watermelon slice.
Watermelon Pictures is a film production and distribution company that aims to capture film and share the experiences of marginalized groups worldwide. Their emblem is red teardrop shapes forming what resembles a halved watermelon.
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Watermelon Fruit Positive & Negative Symbolism
The watermelon has many positive symbolism including love, happiness, family, community, resistance, independence, and abundance.
On the flip side, watermelons were also used negatively to symbolize oppression against African Americans, linking the fruit to laziness and stupidity.
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Watermelon Fruit Origin
The exact place of origin of the watermelon has not been conclusively identified, however, fossil evidence shows that the fruit is already widespread throughout the Middle East, particularly in the Dead Sea region, and cultivated by ancient settlements 5,000 years ago.
The oldest wild watermelon seeds were discovered in Libya dating 6,000 years ago. It is theorized that through travel and trade, these ancient watermelons were further spread out to neighboring regions.
Watermelons were already being cultivated in the Indian subcontinent by the 7th century and in China in the 10th century.
The fruit was eventually introduced to Eastern Europe to the Iberian Peninsula by the Moors as early as 961. The fruit spread throughout the rest of Europe, finding itself featured in European herbal texts in the 1600s. By that time, the watermelon had become a common garden plant.
The European explorers and colonists introduced the watermelon to the New World during the Age of Exploration eventually spreading it throughout the rest of the Americas.
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Watermelon Fruit Cultural Symbolism
Since antiquity, the watermelon has been highly valued for its ability to provide hydration, especially to ancient desert civilizations like Ancient Egypt. The Ancient Egyptians viewed watermelons as symbols of nourishment and hydration, and they would use watermelons in their religious ceremonies.
In China, watermelons are symbols of goodwill, fortune, prosperity, and happiness. They are popularity increases during the summer season and they are one of the fruits that are gifted during the Lunar New Year for good luck.
Similarly in Japan, watermelons are linked to the summer months and are seen as a summer fruit. The Japanese developed technology that grows square-shaped watermelons meant to be given as luxurious novelty gifts.
In many African countries, watermelons are seen as vital fruits that are staple ingredients in the cuisine during the dry season. This hydrating fruit is a symbol of sustenance, abundance, and fertility. They are used during sacred ceremonies and served in communal feasts.
For Americans, watermelons are symbols of independence, especially on July 4th during Independence Day. In most southern states, there is an annual game called the watermelon seed spitting contest. Historically, watermelons were used as symbols of the racist stereotype of African Americans as lazy and stupid.
In Mexico, watermelons are celebrated fruits, especially during the summer months. It is often a source of inspiration for Mexican artists to symbolize life and depict Mexico’s rich cultural heritage.
For the Palestinians, the watermelon is a symbol of national identity, independence, and resistance against their oppressors. Internationally, watermelons are symbols of solidarity with Palestinians as the fruit mirrors the colors of the Palestinian flag.
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Watermelon Fruit in Art and Literature
The iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo created several paintings featuring watermelons throughout her short life. Her last painting is a still life artwork titled, Viva la Vida, Watermelons, finished just several days before she died in 1954.
The Mexican painter and Kahlo’s husband, Diego Rivera, also painted a still life of watermelons before he died in 1957.
Charles Ethan Porter, a notable African American painter, painted a still life titled Cracked Watermelon in 1890.
The surrealist artist, Salvador Dali, created his painting titled Still Life, Watermelon in 1924 in his signature style.
The American novelist Borden Deal published his short story titled The Taste of Watermelon in 1979, a story that explores a small farming community’s mortality.
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Watermelon Favorite Fruit: Traits and Personality
If the watermelon is your favorite fruit, this could indicate that you have a personality that is laidback, smart, and kind. However, you can also be adventurous, spontaneous, and energetic.
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Watermelon Fruit in Astrology or Zodiac
Watermelon has the most affinity to the zodiac sign Cancer, matching the water sign with a water-filled fruit. Watermelons are perfect for the Cancer’s generous and sharing spirit.
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Watermelon Fruit in Dreams
Dreaming of watermelons could mean that your family is about to have a new addition. This could also mean that it is a fertile time in your life and you will be met with an abundant harvest after your years of toil.
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Watermelon Fruit Omens and Superstitions
A Mexican superstition forbids people to eat watermelon at night because it can prevent sleep by causing stomach aches. They also believe that matching beer with watermelon is a poisonous combination.
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Watermelon Fruit Legends, Mythology, and Folklore
A Vietnamese legend depicts an exile prince reaching a deserted island and discovering sweet and water-bearing green fruits. He cultivated these fruits and threw some at sea, reaching his father, the king. Impressed with his son’s discovery and thriving island, the King stepped down for his son to ascend the throne.
