The golden apple in the story of the Apple of Discord symbolizes temptation and conflict. It was thrown by Eris to incite discord among the gods, leading to the Judgment of Paris. This act sparked the Trojan War as Paris, a mortal, chose Aphrodite as the fairest, who promised him Helen, the most beautiful woman. Thus, the golden apple represents the power of desire, highlighting how a seemingly trivial object can lead to significant consequences in mythology.