I was talking with my mother the other day about pomegranates & she told me that when she was a kid, if you took a pomegranate (or Indian Apple) to school, you had it going on. And as a child she loved them very much.
She also told me that Pomegranates are mentioned in the Bible. When I pressed her for where, she cussed me out then told me she would talk to me later but only after she rebuked me.
Me being an Atheist & her being a Jesus lover, we get into arguments all the time. I mostly instigate just to get her going though.
Anyway, after we got off the phone, I googled “pomegranate in the bible” & I found many biblical passages referencing pomegranates & found them interesting.
I also found a site (British Medical Journal) that was broader in terms of religious pomegranate connection.
From the BMJ:
Before its medicinal properties were described the pomegranate was held sacred by many of the world’s major religions.
In the Greek myth of Persephone’s abduction by Hades, lord of the underworld, the pomegranate represents life, regeneration, and marriage. One day while out gathering flowers, Persephone noticed a narcissus of exquisite beauty. As she bent down to pick it, the earth opened and Hades seized her and dragged her down to his kingdom. By eating a few pomegranate seeds, Persephone tied herself to Hadesthe pomegranate being a symbol of the indissolubility of marriage. Inconsolable at the loss of her daughter, the corn goddess Demeter prevented the earth from bearing fruit unless she saw her daughter again. Zeus intervened and worked out a compromise: Persephone should live with Hades for one third of the year and the other two thirds with Demeter. Persephone’s return from the underworld each year is marked by the arrival of Spring.
Zoroastrianism: The pomegranate probably originated in Iran and Afghanistan and was much used in Zoroastrian ritual and domestic observances. In Persian mythology Isfandiyar eats a pomegranate and becomes invincible. In “The Persian War” Herodotus mentions golden pomegranates adorning the spears of warriors in the Persian phalanx.
Judaism: Pomegranate seeds are said to number 613one for each of the Bible’s 613 commandments. The pomegranate was revered for the beauty of its shrub, flowers, and fruitsymbolising sanctity, fertility, and abundance. The Song of Solomon compares the cheeks of a bride behind her veil to the two halves of a pomegranate. Depictions of the fruit have long featured in architecture and design. They decorated the pillars of King Solomon’s temple and the robes and regalia of Jewish kings and priests.
Buddhism: Along with the citrus and the peach, the pomegranate is one of the three blessed fruits. In Buddhist art the fruit represents the essence of favourable influences. In Buddhist legend the demoness Hariti, who devoured children, was cured of her evil habit by the Buddha, who gave her a pomegranate to eat. She is depicted in Buddhist art holding a child. In Japan she is known as Kishimojin and is invoked by infertile women.
In China the pomegranate is widely represented in ceramic art symbolising fertility, abundance, posterity, numerous and virtuous offspring, and a blessed future. A picture of a ripe open pomegranate is a popular wedding present.
Christianity: A symbol of resurrection and life everlasting in Christian art, the pomegranate is often found in devotional statues and paintings of the Virgin and Child.
In medieval representations the pomegranate tree, a fertility symbol, is associated with the end of a unicorn hunt. The captured unicorn appears to be bleeding from wounds inflicted on him by the hunters. The “wounds” are actually pomegranate seeds dripping their blood red juices on his milk white body. Wild and uncontrollable by nature, unicorns can be tamed only by virgins. Once tamed, the unicorn was held in an enclosed garden and chained to a pomegranate tree, symbolising the impending incarnation of Christ.
Islam: The heavenly paradise of the Koran describes four gardens with shade, springs, and fruitsincluding the pomegranate. Legend holds that each pomegranate contains one seed that has come down from paradise. Pomegranates have had a special role as a fertility symbol in weddings among the Bedouins of the Middle East. A fine specimen is secured and split open by the groom as he and his bride open the flap of their tent or enter the door of their house. Abundant seeds ensure that the couple who eat it will have many children.
(Source: http://www.bmj.com)
Anyway, this image officially is my last pomegranate shot. I think I worked them quite enough but will still continue to eat them until we can no longer find them this season.
I think I will call my mom tomorrow & tell her that while eating my daily pomegranate I found Jesus. I know that will cheer her up.
Anna / December 3, 2008
hilarious and informative
I haven’t had one for two days and I am hoarding the last one I have since I don’t know when I will get to the farmer’s market — I might have to break down and buy one at the grocery store!
CapCity / December 4, 2008
I agree with Anna overall.
"…that while eating my daily pomegranate I found Jesus. I know that will cheer her up."
HA-freakin'-LARIOUS!! Personally, I think pomegranates are sexy – but haven't eaten one as an adult – too much "picking";-). I drink the juice tho'! LOL!
& nice "meeting" u over at The PChats! I'm sure we'll bump into each other again! Beautiful photos!!
CapCity / December 4, 2008
Okay – I went thru your page & I want to be photographed by U – I think U'd make a PIG look SEXY az HAYL!
And er, um that intimate pomegranate post down there – sounds like she'd be diggin' seeds out & that would NOT make ME feel sexy AT ALL! LOL!
Hey – we got a Black President so U KNOW it's time for a Black Bond. I know some LUSCIOUS British Brothers are out there! Good Lawd! Note to Sistahs: can U imagine Idris in all his glory AND his British accent? Whew!
By the way – I'm leaving these comments here cuz most folk don't check their old posts. 😉
I'll be back…
Tafari / December 4, 2008
Anna – Stop hoarding & get to the market while they are fresh!!! You know I am laughing at your hoarder status. That shit is going to dry up on your ass. LOL!!!
CapCity – 1st of all, I love Pussy & I love chats, so your blog is perfect for me. LOL
Rawgawgbuffalo has flipped the script on the new way to do a pomegranate & so many people are talking about it. I am crediting myself with helping him to put that post back on the map.
Personally, I would prefer not to dig out pomegranate arils from some pussy but everybody has their thing.
I talked to my BFF today about a Black Bond & the new movie, he thinks there is no need for a Black Bond but of course I disagree. I guess we will see what happens. And he thought the movie was so so.
I will be in NYC in a few weeks, I would love to organize a bloggers get together but it may be tricky because I will be there during xmas & I am not trying to fuck with anyones celebration.
Stay tuned!!!
Tafari
Tamika / December 4, 2008
Your post is great and apropos. Pomegranates are the “it” thing right now. And in California you can get pomegranate in everything from your facial to your tea – http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/1014914.html.
Tafari / December 4, 2008
Tamika – Thx for sharing this story. Very fascinating! I would love to visit a pomegranate farm during harvest time. Better yet, I would love if they would ship me a box of my very own just because I’m a great person. 🙂
Tafari
CapCity / December 5, 2008
Tafari – when EGGGZACTLY during the "xmas" season will U be here? I'm sure a cupla of us will be available! email me at capcity4@yahoo.com & i'll put the word out 4 ya! We NYCers like to have blog gatherings! So don't feel like you're fuggin' up anyone's hollerday! If u lucky u'll BE the hollerday;-)
CapCity / December 5, 2008
P.S. Maybe I can get U to take photos of me while the city's all festive & e'rythang! 😉 it could work out for the both of us!
Tafari / December 5, 2008
I arrive xmas eve & we are out like the 27. Kinda a short & sweet trip.I will hit you via email as well.
Tafari
Torrance Stephens - All-Mi-T / December 5, 2008
way to educate and love the photos as u already know
Tafari / December 14, 2008
Thx man!
Tafari