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Pomegranate History
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Celebrated for centuries as a symbol of fertility, royalty, hope and abundance, the pomegranate is one of the oldest fruits known to man. The ancient pomegranate has been heralded throughout history in art, architecture, sculpture, and the written word. Historical evidence suggests that the pomegranate was cultivated for the first time in Persia between 4000 BC to 3000 BC. It gradually moved towards China, India, North Africa, and Europe. Pomegranates were brought to Spain about 800 AD by the Moors. Granada, Spain, on the coast of the Mediterranean, was named for the latin name of the fruit. Cultivated extensively by Spain, the fruit moved with the missionaries to Mexico in 1521 and pomegranate trees were brought to California in late 18th century. Thomas Jefferson had a pomegranate tree in his garden at Monticello. Botanist Carl Linnaeus gave the fruit its botanical name, Punica granatum Linnaeus in 1735. The Latin word Punica refers to Phoenicia and granatum means “many seeded.” The exotic pomegranate appears frequently in ancient religions and religious ceremonies. Pomegranates are one of the three blessed fruits of Buddhism. The Koran mentions pomegranates three times; twice as examples of the good things God creates, once as a fruit found in the Garden of Paradise. The Old Testament contains many references to the pomegranate or “rimmon” as it was called. Exodus records that images of the fruit were to be woven onto the borders of robes worn by Hebrew Priests. According to I Kings, pomegranates were depicted in King Solomon's’ Temple in Jerusalem. It was one of the fruit trees of the “promised land” and some believe that the pomegranate was the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. The flowers and fruits of the pomegranate were used in religious rites of Phoenicians. Jewish tradition holds that the pomegranate is a symbol for righteousness, because it is said to have 613 seeds, which corresponds with the 613 commandments of the Torah.
In one version of Greek mythology, Persephone was kidnapped by Hades and taken to the underworld as his wife. Her mother, Demeter (goddess of the harvest) went into mourning for her daughter, and all green things ceased to grow. Zeus would not allow the earth to die, and so he commanded Hades to return Persephone. Before he did, Hades tricked Persephone into eating a few seeds from a pomegranate, knowing that anyone who consumed food or drink in the underworld was doomed to spend eternity there. Persephone was permitted to return to the earth, but because she had eaten the seeds, every year she was forced to spend one month in the underworld for each seed she had consumed. Accounts vary as to whether she ate three, four or six seeds. During these months, her mother grieved and nothing grew on the earth. This became the mythological explanation for winter and the changing of the seasons. Aphrodite, deity of love, is said to have planted pomegranates on the isle of Cypress. As a symbol of fertile blood and death, the pomegranate was an ancient emblem of the great goddess Hera, wife and older sister of Zeus. She is often depicted with a pomegranate in her hand. Persians believed that pomegranate seeds made warriors invincible on the battlefield. The Egyptians called the pomegranate the Eternal Fruit and it was often buried in the tombs with the dead. In China, the pomegranate fruit symbolized abundance, fertility and longevity. The pomegranate is one of the symbols of Armenia and represents fertility, abundance, and marriage. The pomegranate has also been associated with the womb. It’s biblical name “rimmon” derives from rim, "to bear a child," and its association with the Virgin Mary and the Christ child is common in medieval art. Its blood-red color and its many seeds make the fruit an emblem of the Christian church [from the many— One]. It has also been said to symbolize the resurrection of Christ. In modern times the pomegranate still holds strong symbolic meanings for the Greeks. It is traditional to break a pomegranate on the ground at weddings. Pomegranates are given as house warming presents and placed under the home altar of the house as a symbol of abundance, fertility and good luck. Pomegranate decorations for the home are very common in Greece and sold in many stores. Throughout the centuries, countless writers have extolled the virtues of the pomegranate through the written word.
The pomegranate has appeared in many famous works of art and was frequently included in paintings of the Virgin Mary and Christ child by medieval artists. Some believe that the pomegranates symbolized the passion of Christ, while the abundant seeds foretold the fullness of Christ's suffering. It has also been suggested that the pomegranates represented the resurrection of Christ, particularly in the works of Rafael and Botticelli. Pomegranates have been featured in works made famous by many artists including Botticelli, Da Vinci, Raphael, Cezanne, Dali, and Matisse.
This exotic fruit has still not reached the level of popularity in America that it enjoys in the Mid-East, Europe and the Far East. In fact it remained relatively obscure until researchers begin documentating the heath benefits of the fruit. Between 2003 and 2006, over 900 new pomegranate products were introduced in the United States. You can now find everything from pomegranate Frappachinos to pomegranate martinis, and new products continue to make their way to the market. Combine this popularity with the exciting health benefits, and it is easy to see why these ancient fruits are on the verge of super-star status. From Pomegranate History to Home Page
The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this site for treatment of any health problem. As with any herbal or dietary supplement, talk to your doctor before adding pomegranate juice or pomegranate supplements to your regular diet. Copyright 2007 - Pomegranate-Benefits.com |
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