The name Alma represents generations, cultures and borders and can be encountered throughout the world. In Denmark alone, the name is Alma is shared between Bosnians, Lithuanians, Greenlanders, Belgians, Pakistanis and Arabs. Therefore you might meet an Alma who grew up in the South of Jutland, and another who grew up in Argentina.
Women from all over the world share this name with so many meanings. In ancient Gothic language, the name Alma means the working and the brave. In Spanish and Italian, the name means soul, and in Kazakh, Hungarian and Turkish, it means apple.
In Roman times, the Romans used the title Alma Mater, as an honourable title for mother goddesses as well as for the hunting goddess Diana and the goddess of agriculture, motherly love and fertility; Ceres. Many universities have begun to use this title, amongst them is the University of Bologna that uses the name Alma mater in its logo. In the same way that goddesses gave the Romans hope and faith, universities nourish their students with knowledge.
The organization has chosen the Apple as its symbol for the ethnic minority women’s award. The apple as a symbol, has played a major role in our cultural history. According to legend, Newton discovered the law of gravity after an apple fell on his head from an apple tree. Another example is of course Adam and Eve, who were thrown out of paradise after Eve ate the forbidden fruit – an apple, which provided revelation and knowledge.
Historically, eating an apple has been considered to be a sin, but has also been interpreted as the first step towards enlightenment, knowledge and evolution. In Nordic mythology, the apple is a symbol of beauty and rebirth.
As you can hear, our reasons for selecting the apple as our official symbol for the Alma award are plentiful, however the primary idea is that the apple is a symbol to which we can all relate.
If you have any questions or comments, please write below or send us an e-mail.
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