Just jotting down some notes here on the varied symbolisms attached to pomegranates.
prosperity. ambition
the fruit of the dead – see Rossetti’s painting Persephona
related to the concepts of the earth goddess
calyx shared like a crown – is this where the idea for the crown came from?
abundance, fertility and good luck
used in celebrations of death, weddings, at New Year in Greece
fruitfulness
love
prosperity
The Tamil name maadulampazham is a metaphor for a woman’s mind. It is derived from, maadhu=woman, ullam=mind, which means as the seeds are hidden, it is not easy to decipher a woman’s mind
progeny, fecundity
resurrection and everlasting life
appears in traditions and religions the world over
the indissolubility of marriage
in season september to february which coincides with jumper wearing season in the northern hemisphere
native to iran and north east turkey
both sweet and sour
used in both sweet and savoury dishes – extensively used in cookery
Botticelli and Da Vinci both used them symbolically in paintings
Paul Cezanne’s “Ginger Pot With Pomegranates and Pears” and Pablo Picasso’s “La Grenade”
forbidden fruit