Symbolic meaning red apples


I noticed that red apples seem to have symbolic meaning in Anime and I wonder
if it is in line with western interpretations.

**Erased** : After waking up in the hospital, Satoru's nemesis Yashiro sits
besides his bed and peels a red apple.

**AnoHana** : When Jinta's mother explains the concept of reincarnation to
Menma, she peels a red apple.

**Death Note** : Well... Ryuks favorite food and he's a Shinigami, a death
god...

So yea, common theme, must have to do with death.

From what I gather, a typical western interpretation, among others (e.g. sin)
is rebirth, which does fit the bill regarding the first two examples and to
some extend also the third.

So my question: Is it what it seems or is there yet another meaning attached
in eastern symbolic that I don't know of?




I don't have a copy on hand to check, but according to the Death Note Wiki:

_" in Death Note 13: How to Read, Tsugumi Ohba states that there was no
underlying reason for his choice of apples. He is quoted as saying that he
liked the way the red apples contrast with Ryuk's dark appearance."_

So so much for that idea. Doesn't surprise anyone.

A lot of the time authors of popular fiction put something in their book
because they thought it sounded or looked good or it was something that
reminded them of a friend or family member and the moment the reviewers,
critics and teachers get hold of it it becomes some awesome symbol of death or
evil or whatever.

But even though the apple symbolism turns out to be readers' bias rather that
author intent, Death Note stil has tons of symbolism to discuss, most notably
the ubiquitous doves and crows ...

