The symbolism of apples as a boundary between opposites in picture books

In this study, we will examine the meaning of the polar boundaries in the symbolism of apples in the psychological development of infants and toddlers. To this end, from the perspective of the archetypal symbol analysis of analytical psychology, we analyzed the archetypal symbols of apples and the way they appear in 51 picture books for infants and toddlers published in the 2000s that feature apples and examined the meaning of the symbolism of apples in the picture books in the psychological development of infants and toddlers. As a result of the analysis, the archetypal symbolism of apples in the picture books for infants and toddlers was shown, such as abundance, love, vitality, death, jealousy, wisdom, courage, passion, salvation, hope, unity, unification, and coexistence. We confirmed that if reading play is conducted based on the symbolism of apples, it can provide various polar boundaries necessary according to the psychological development stage of infants and toddlers and thus promote the personality development of infants and toddlers. In addition, as picture books that reinterpret the symbolic meaning of apples have recently appeared, it is expected that they will be able to promote the development of sociality required by modern society by providing young children with experiences of respecting and embracing various values.