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The Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a fruit-bearing shrub or small tree that reaches a height of 5-8 meters. Originally believed to be native to Persia, this fruit is now cultivated worldwide. The apple-sized fruit contains a cluster of edible seeds surrounded by juicy pulp. Traditionally, in the Middle East, Iran, and India, the pomegranate has been utilized as a medicinal remedy for various ailments. For example, an infusion of the rinds was used to soothe a sore throat, a leaf-based paste was thought to treat baldness when massaged into the scalp, and pomegranate juice was employed to address issues ranging from stomach problems to cuts and bruises.
Pomegranate Mythology
In ancient Persian beliefs, it was thought that Eve was tempted with a pomegranate in the Garden of Eden, and Persian mythology recounts how Isfandiyar gained invincibility by eating one. In Hebrew tradition, the pomegranate was said to contain 613 seeds, symbolizing the 613 commandments of the Torah, and it was used to adorn the Torah and its coverings. The ancient Greeks associated the pomegranate with the afterlife, and in Greek mythology, Hades gave a seed to Persephone, which she took, thinking it looked like a jewel, binding her to spend part of each year with Hades in the underworld. The Prophet Mohammed reportedly encouraged his followers to eat the fruit to cleanse themselves of envy and hatred. In China, the fruit symbolized longevity, and in ancient Babylonian mythology, it was considered an agent of resurrection.
Pomegranate as a Religious Symbol
In Hinduism, the pomegranate is seen as a symbol of fertility and prosperity and is revered for its beneficial qualities. It’s often depicted in the hands of Hindu deities and was one of the nine plants offered to Durga, the ten-armed goddess of deliverance.
In Buddhism, the pomegranate is one of the three blessed fruits, alongside the citrus and the peach. Buddha, delighted by a humble gift of a small pomegranate from a poor old woman, is said to have offered this fruit to the demon Hariti, curing her of her habit of eating children.
In Judaism, some scholars believe the fruit that led to Adam and Eve’s expulsion from Eden was a pomegranate, not an apple. Pomegranates decorated the robes of priests and some pillars in the temple in Jerusalem, symbolizing the 613 commandments of the Torah. Today, they symbolize fertility and are part of Rosh Hashanah celebrations.
In Christianity, the pomegranate is seen as a symbol of the universal church due to its many seeds unified in one fruit. The bursting fruit symbolizes Christ’s suffering and resurrection and appears in various religious artworks, including Leonardo Da Vinci’s “The Madonna with a Pomegranate.”
In Islam, pomegranates are found in the gardens of paradise, and traditionally, it was important to eat every seed, as one couldn’t be certain which aril had come from paradise.
For thirty years, Yuroz’s fine art has consistently focused on the resilience of human conditions and the celebration of the human spirit. An architect by training, an artist by nature, and a creator by passion, Yuroz enchants us with his visual poetry, encouraging us to cherish life’s simple, tender moments while honoring the strength and power of the human spirit. His work inspires us to find light in times of darkness and helps us discover the missing piece to complete the circle of love.