Categories: Pomegranate Guide

Significance of Pomegranates in the Different Religions

Since the ages, pomegranate is hailed not only for its medicinal properties but also in the ancient mythology and religion. There are different religions that accept pomegranate and have sacred meaning associated with it.

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The Different Religions and Sacred Meanings of Pomegranates

New York (USA), February 16, 2018

Since the ages, pomegranate is hailed not only for its medicinal properties but also in the ancient mythology and religion. There are different religions that accept pomegranate and have sacred meaning associated with it.

Christianity

In Christianity, pomegranate is a symbol of Christ’s Resurrection. It depicts the everlasting life in the Christian art. Pomegranate is generally depicted in the religious paintings or statues of Virgin and Child.

The medieval art displays a pomegranate tree as a symbol of fertility. It is generally related to closing of the unicorn hunt.

Judaism

Judaism believes that the pomegranate seeds are 613 in number, the same number as of the 613 commandments of the Bible. Pomegranate was praised for its beauty, flowers, fertility, fruit-symbolizing holiness, and profusion.

The Song of Solomon says the cheeks of the bride behind her veil look like two halves of pomegranate. Pomegranate is also featured in architecture and design of King Solomon’s temple and even the royal clothes.

Buddhism

Buddhism considers pomegranate as one of the three blessed fruits. The other two are citrus and peach. Buddhist legend tells how Buddha cured demoness Hariti of her evil by giving her a Pomegranate to eat. Ripe open pomegranate is also an admired wedding gift.

Islam

In Islam, the divine paradise of Koran depicts the four gardens with shade, springs, and fruits, which includes the pomegranate fruit. The legend says that each pomegranate fruit has one seed that comes up straight from the paradise.

Pomegranate fruit also acts as an important fertility symbol in the Bedouins tribe’s weddings in the Middle East.

There is a fine specimen of pomegranate that is kept secured. It is made open by the groom when he enters the house with his bride. The bright and plentiful seeds seem to promise that any couple who eats it would have several kids.

Zoroastrianism

Pomegranate originated allegedly in Iran and Afghanistan. It was used in the Zoroastrian ritual and domestic ceremonies. In the Persian mythology Isfandiyar becomes unconquerable after eating a pomegranate. In “The Persian War” Herodotus talks about golden pomegranates adorning the warriors’ spears.

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Gary Anderson