Almonds originated in North Africa, the Mediterranean and the Levant. Archaeologists have found almonds in sites that date back to 8000BCE, particularly in the region of Greece.
Almonds and almond trees are represented in myths and stories throughout this region and beyond, to India and China. Almonds are the first trees to flower in the spring, and display an amazing abundance of white blossoms on an otherwise bare tree. Partly because of this, their symbolism was always around fertility, rebirth and abundance.
Here is a brief and entertaining summary of the role of the noble almond in cultures around the world...
- Greece: Phyllis and Demophon fell in love and Demophon had to leave to go back to Athens. When he didn’t return, Phyllis faded away out of grief but the gods took pity on her and turned her into an almond tree. The tree was dry and barren, as Phyllis’ soul was still in mourning. Eventually Demophon made it back to Thrace and was overcome with sorrow and regret. He wrapped his arms around the trunk and cried hopelessly. The tree immediately blossomed and was filled with small white flowers.
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Egypt: The almond tree is associated with fertility and closely linked to the goddess Hathor who embodies
motherhood, fertility and joy. One prominent myth has the goddess Hathor transformed into an almond tree to protect her child, emphasising the tree’s role as a guardian of life. - Portugal: This is about famous almond orchards in the Algarve. Many centuries ago there lived an Arab king in the city of Chelb (Silves). He had a prisoner called Gilda who was from the north and blond and blue-eyed. They were happy until Gilda started to feel homesick. A physician came from the north who said the Gilda was missing the white blanket of the snow in her homeland. In response al-Almundim planted a thousand almond trees. When they flowered and the whole plain was covered in a blanket of white blossoms, Gilda was joyful and soon bore many children.
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Eastern philosophies: In both Hinduism and Buddhism the almond tree represents spiritual awakening. It is associated with the divine, symbolising the potential for enlightenment and the journey towards
self-discovery. - The Bible: Almond trees in the Bible symbolise watchfulness and God's promises. They are mentioned in several contexts, including Jeremiah's vision where the almond branhc signifies that God is watching over His word to fulfil it.
- Grimm's Fairy Tales: An almond tree plays a key role in one of the typically horrific Grimm's Fairy Tales. There is a woman who is able to have a child thanks to her joy and celebration of the beauty of the almond tree outside her house. When she births her son, she is so overcome with joy that she dies. Cue the wicked evil stepmother, who eventually craftily and viciously kills her stepson. But the almond tree, together with a very smart bird, bring the father's attention to his murderous wife and saves the day.
Sources:
https://www.greecehighdefinition.com/blog/2021/4/25/almond-trees-in-ancient-greek-lore
https://egyptmythology.com/the-myth-of-the-sacred-almond-tree-in-egyptian-lore/
https://www.penina.com/news/legend-of-the-almond-trees-in-blossom/
https://www.grimmstories.com/en/grimm_fairy-tales/the_almond_tree