Pomegranate

The Red Fruit that is a Symbol of Good Luck & Health

Since antiquity, the pomegranate has symbolised plentifulness, youthfulness, fertility, and good luck. This delicious red fruit has always been held in high esteem for its richness in vitamins that boost our good health. According to a Greek tradition, a pomegranate must be broken in the morning of New Year’s Day on the house front door threshold to attract good luck for the entire year.

Let’s find out how this fruit was depicted in Greek art across the centuries. We’ll also provide you with a few tips about including it in your diet as well as in your daily skincare routine.

The Pomegranate in Greek Mythology and History

The pomegranate tree has been known and appreciated since ancient times; it is mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey, as a tree grown on the island of Scheria or Phaeacia in the gardens of King Alcinous. Theophrastus, an ancient Greek philosopher and Hippocrates – known as the father of modern western medicine- refer to the pomegranate’s beneficial effects to our health.

In Greek mythology, this fruit is considered as the symbol of fertility and rebirth, and it was associated with the worship of three major goddesses: Hera, Zeus’ wife; Aphrodite, the goddess of love; and Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and nature’s rebirth.

A well-known myth associated with pomegranate is the one about the abduction of Persephone (daughter of Demeter) by Hades, god of the Underworld. According to the myth, Hades offered this fruit to Persephone, in order to seal their eternal bond. The pomegranate was also used during the Eleusinian Mysteries (major ancient Greek religious festival), as priests wore wreaths made of pomegranate tree twigs during the ceremonies.

Art

Archaeological finds have shown that the pomegranate fruit was well-known in the Mediterranean area, as it was depicted on objects of art. Vessels with pomegranate decorations on them (1650-1450 BC, National Archaeological Museum) were unearthed in Fylakopi, Milos Island. Excavations in Akrotiri, Santorini Island brought to light bicolour containers with pomegranate motifs painted on them (17th century BC). Pomegranate-shaped vessels (17th century BC) were found on Crete (Minoan Period, Late Bronze Age). A necklace with gold pomegranates on it was unearthed in Mycenae, East Peloponnese (16th century BC, Archaeological Museum), and a brass pomegranate found on the Acropolis, Athens, is now on display at the National Archaeological Museum.

In modern Greek art, the pomegranate has been a source of inspiration and a favourite theme to a number of painters such as G. Iakovidis, N. Gyzis, N. Lytras, G. Bouzianis, Y. Kottis, and to writers such as G. Seferis, O. Elytis, N. Engonopoulos, and others.

Add Colour and Taste to Your Dishes

The pomegranate is an autumn and winter fruit in Greece. Its juicy and delicious seeds can be used in many dishes: add them in your turkey or lamb stuffing and dress your green salads with these red flavourful pearls. Another great idea is to try pomegranate jam or spoon sweet. Use the pomegranate juice to make a tasty sauce for your meat dishes, or try it in the form of jelly or syrup on ice cream and other sweets. You can use it to make a delicious liqueur, too!

An elixir for Good Health and Beauty

Did you know that pomegranate seeds are a type of superfood, rich in sugars, vitamins A, B, C, minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and iron, and that it has more antioxidants than red wine and green tea?

This great-tasting fruit is also used in skincare products. Greek cosmetics companies are well-known for using pomegranate extracts in their anti-ageing skin-nourishing formulas, as well as other Greek plants in their products.