In many cultures, honey has associations that go far beyond its use as a food. In language and literature, religion and folk belief, honey is frequently a symbol or talisman for sweetness of every kind.

The Old Testament contains many references to honey as a symbol for all that is pleasant and desirable. For example, the book of Exodus famously describes the Promised Land as a 'land flowing with milk and honey' (33:3). There, however, the Hebrew devash probably refers to the sweet syrup produced from the juice of the grape or the date. In contrast, bees' honey is referred to explicitly in The Book of Judges when Samson found a swarm of bees and honey in the carcass of a lion (14:8). The word "honey" appears 61 times in the King James Version of the Bible.

In Jewish tradition, honey is also a symbol for the new year – Rosh Hashana. At the traditional meal for that holiday, apple slices are dipped into honey and eaten to bring a sweet new year. New Year's greetings for Rosh Hashana very often show honey and an apple, symbolizing the feast.

In Muslim tradition, the Qur'an mentions rivers of honey in Paradise (Qur'an 47:15).

'And thy Lord taught the bee to build its cells in hills, on trees and in (men's) habitations..... there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colours, wherein is healing for mankind. Verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought'. (Translation of Quran 16:68-69)

'Honey is a remedy for every illness and the Qur'an is a remedy for all illness of the mind, therefore I recommend to you both remedies, the Qur'an and honey.' (Bukhari)

It is also mentioned specifically that the Prophet Muhammad liked honey (Sahih Bukhari vol. 7, book 69, number 504 and 518), thus honey is interpreted by Muslims to hold a significant value.

Honey plays an important role in the festival of Modhu Purnima, celebrated by Buddhists in India and Bangladesh. The day commemorates Buddha's making peace among his disciples by retreating into the wilderness. The story goes that while he was there, a monkey brought him honey to eat. On Modhu Purnima, Buddhists remember this act by giving honey to monks. The monkey's gift is frequently depicted in Buddhist art.

During the Roman Empire, honey was used instead of gold to pay taxes. Even earlier, in the accounts of the Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Seti I, one hundred pots of honey were equivalent in value to an ass or an ox [4].

In some parts of Greece, it was formerly the custom for a bride to dip her fingers in honey and make the sign of the cross before entering her new home. This was meant to ensure sweetness in her married life, especially in her relationship with her mother-in-law.

In popular culture, bears are frequently depicted as eating honey, even though most bears actually eat a wide variety of foods, and bears seen at beehives are usually more interested in bee larvae than honey. Honey is sometimes sold in a bear-shaped jar. Teddy bears are almost invariably associated with honey, possibly because of the influence of Winnie-the-Pooh.

Many people believe that honey is more wholesome or healthier than refined sugar, although most nutritionists say that all sweeteners are pretty much alike. Honey-based sweets are often sold as health food.

'Honey', along with variations like 'honey bun' and 'honeypot' and the contraction 'hon,' has become a term of endearment in most of the English-speaking world. In some places it is used for loved ones; in others, such as the American South, it is used when addressing casual acquaintances or even strangers.


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