Wednesday 10 December 2014

Pomegranate Symbolism



It's a symbol of resurrection and everlasting life.

Symbolises abundance and fertility, beauty and wisdom

What Makes Pomegranate Symbolism So Powerful?

Any symbol is powerful.

A symbol transforms abstract concepts, ideas and beliefs into tangible things that we can touch, see, hear, taste, smell and understand. Symbolism brings power to the abstract concept and also to the object that symbolises it.

Symbols touch our emotions.

They teach.

They enhance meaning.

They motivate.

But there's something more about symbolism with the pomegranate.

The pomegranate has been used throughout history and in almost every religion as a symbol of humanity's most fundamental beliefs and desires, including life and death, rebirth and eternal life, fertility and marriage, abundance and prosperity. Almost every aspect of the pomegranate has come to symbolise something . . . its shape, colour, seeds, juice.

What is it about the pomegranate that appeals to humanity to such an extent?

What is it that seems to literally call to us?

What is it about the pomegranate's qualities and characteristics that give voice to these deepest, most abstract concepts, beliefs, hopes and dreams?

Well . . . let's see what its religious and mythological symbolism reveals.

Within Judaism
As references in the Hebrew Bible indicate, pomegranates decorated the priest's robes and the temple.

Within Christianity

The pomegranate is often seen in paintings and statues of the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus.

Within Islam
60:68 - O which of your Lord's bounties will you and you deny? Therein fruits, and palm-trees, and pomegranates.
Legend states that each pomegranate contains one seed (aril) from the pomegranate in paradise.

Within Mythology

The Myth of Persephone

Persephone is the daughter of Demeter (mother goddess of crops) and Zeus.
The story goes like this:
"When Persephone is carried off to the underworld by Hades, Demeter is enraged and prevents the crops from growing. To restore the natural order, Zeus arranges his daughter's release by negotiating a settlement between Demeter and Hades. But Hades had already given Persephone a pomegranate seed, and since she has eaten the food of the underworld, she is compelled to spend one-third of the year there with Hades and the other two-thirds in the world above.

Within Chinese Culture

Here, the pomegranate represent many sons - - a common fertility symbol.

Pomegranates in Art


Pablo Picasso's "La Grenade"  capture the beauty and power of the pomegranate.

By Leanne Chesser


According too a popular believe,.a person who holds 3 pomegranate seeds in his wallet will never miss his money! :))

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