The presence of pomegranate in Greek mythology is evident when you read about the history of the pomegranate and when you observe their traditions even today that are based on that history or legend that supposedly took place so many years ago.
Ancient Tradition - Pomegranate Greek Mythology
The story of Persephone and Hades is well known in Greek mythology. Legend has it that this young and innocent daughter of a goddess was taken against her will by Hades to be his queen in his underworld of the dead. She refused to eat or drink because she was so sad, but finally she ate six pomegranate seeds. Once her mother discovered where she was, she struck a deal with Hades. Hades said that he would allow Persephone to go back to the world if she hadn't eaten any food of the world of the dead. Since she ate only those six seeds, it was agreed that she would be permitted to spend 6 months in the world and 6 months in the underworld. Some people believe that the season of spring is when Persephone came up to the world and the fall season is when she returned to the underworld.
Other Pomegranate Greek Mythology Legends
Sculptures of Hera, goddess of the home, show a pomegranate in her right handAphrodite, a Greek goddess, planted the first pomegranate tree in GreecePeople of Athens ate the fruit in hopes of gaining wealth and many childrenCeremonies in Athens honored the gods and goddesses of that time with pomegranate fruitToday's Traditions and Pomegranate Greek Mythology
How is the pomegranate fruit incorporated in the traditions and customs of the Greek people today? There are many times the pom fruit is seen in their celebrations and religious gatherings.
An accepted and special housewarming gift is a pomegranate. The person visiting the new homeowner takes a fruit and places it near or underneath the home altar of the home. The fruit represents your wishes for the couple to have great wealth, many children, and the best of luck.Many Greek homes are decorated with paintings or other artwork depicting pomegranates because it represents fertility for the couple and abundance as well.At a traditional Greek wedding, it is customary to break a pomegranate fruit on the ground as a way of wishing the newly married couple good luck, prosperity, and many children. This tradition is also carried out on New Years Day.At funerals, the Greek people honor their dead by making an offering of what is called kollyva. It is a mixture of boiled wheat with sugar added and then decorated with the arils or seeds of the pomegranate fruit on top.Pomegranates are placed on the dinner table on special days like Christmas Day and the celebration day of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, to name a few.The pomegranate tradition has been carried through many years of history in the Greeks and it still has a place of honor today in both life and death of the Greek people.
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