The history of... the pomegranate: a religious symbol in every major faith

by Sarah Gilbert, Posted Nov 17th 2005 @ 6:31PM

The pomegranate is not just a fruit, says Nancy Haught of the Oregonian. It's a lesson on world religions that fits in the palm of your hand. According to Hindus, it's a symbol for fertility (that's an easy one) and prosperity, and was often thought of as very appealing to the gods. Buddha received a gift (it's said) of a small pomegranate from a poor old woman, and then adopted it as one of the three blessed fruits (others are the citrus and the peach).

In Judaism, the first book of the Torah argues that the forbidden fruit was not an apple, but a pomegranate. In other texts, pomegranates were one of the signals that the Hebrews had, indeed, reached the promised land. But best of all is the tradition in Islam. "According to the Quran, the gardens of paradise include pomegranates. It is important, tradition says, to eat every seed of a pomegranate because one can't be sure which aril came from paradise." And pomegranates protect the eater from envy and hatred. Sounds good! I vote that pomegranates be adopted as the totem fruit of bloggers. Anyone with me?

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Filed Under: Newspapers, The History of..., Ingredients
Tags: fruit

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-21-2005 @8:39PM Kitty said... Absolutely with you - and let's not forget the important of the P in Greek mythology. Persephone was snatched up by Hades when she reached for a pomegranate, and her story came to symbolize all kinds of transformations, including the reason for the seasons. Important little morsels, indeed.
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11-17-2005 @11:33PM Charlene Innes said... I am brand new to pomegranates and am trying to find the best way to enjoy them. How about some help?
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