POMEGRANATE IN

HISTORY

POMEGRANATE IN DICTIONARY

“Pomegranate” is “Nar” in Turkish.  It is known to come from the Persian words “Nar” or “Anar” which are used for pomegranate or pomegranate tree.

“Punica Granatum” which is the inspiration of our brand name, is the Latin word for “pomegranate”.

 

POMEGRANATE IN HISTORY

Pomegranates on an Assyrian relief

It is known that pomegranate has been cultivated since 3500BC. Considered to be a native of the Himalayans, it has been cultivated mainly in Iran and Northern India and the whole Mediterranean region. Turkey, Greece, Italy and Carthage were among the countries that pomegranate cultivation had spread in time.

Many cultures believe that pomegranate is the first fruit on earth and think that, it has led the way for civilizations with its unsurpassed qualities. We witness the presence of pomegranate motifs on archaeological finds from the oldest historical periods.

   Pomegranate-shaped silver container found in Tutankhamon’s tomb

Pomegranate, considered to be holy by many communities, is present both in mythology and the monotheistic religions.  Although many different meanings and symbolism have been attributed to this fruit throughout history, it has always remained to be a token for productivity, fertility and abundance.

We see pomegranate in religious books, mythological philosophy, written historical sources and archaeological finds always symbolizing fertility, abundance and immortality.

Pomegranate, accepted to be one of the fruits present in the heaven, has been a frequent motif used in religious decorative arts.  Often mentioned in historical rituals, oral folkloric traditions like tales and epic legends, pomegranate has become a cult symbol and is considered a mythical fruit

In ancient Egypt, pomegranates were placed in graves with the hope of a second life. A great number of pomegranates were discovered in Hatshepsut tomb (1470BC).

Pomegranate-shaped jewelry from ancient Egypt

Herodotos, the famous ancient historian and writer, tells about the Persian soldiers in the Greco-Persian War that carry spears with silver and gold pomegranates on their tips, in his Book 7, section 41. This fruit that was very important in the everyday life of the ancient world, had also been a source of inspiration for many fields of art. It is known that various pomegranate-shaped containers of metal, clay or ivory were used throughout history, in religious ceremonies, tombs or everyday household services.

Earthernware pomegranates as votive offerings at a sacred site in Greece
dated 900 – 700BC

 Hittites, one of the oldest civilizations in Anatolia, depicted their god of agriculture with wheat stalks and pomegranate.  “Nurmu” or “Nurma” means pomegranate in the Hittite language.  The goddesses in later Hittite period held mirrors in their hands as symbols of femininity and beauty. Whereas the other gods and goddesses held pomegranates in their hands. The fact that an abundance of pomegranate was found in the Uluburun Shipwreck dating from 14BC, close to the Turkish shore, is a strong indication that there was an active pomegranate trade in the Mediterranian region at the time.

The goddess Athena was seen depicted with pomegranates in the ancient Pamphylia region of Turkey.

The virtues that had been attributed to pomegranate through the ages were perceived in the same line by many different ideologies and cultures. Even today we see pomegranate-shaped decorative objects in many homes for good luck, wealth and abundance.

(Our source for the history and images of pomegranate: Apelasyon e-journal June 2016/issue 31.

By Aynur Civelek. 

http.//apelasyon.com/Yazi/458-bereket-ve-bolluk-nar?bul=kültür)

ŞANLIURFA POMEGRANATE IN EVLİYA ÇELEBİ’S TRAVELOGUE

In his travelogue Evliya Çelebi mentions pomegranate in this fashion: “Urfa is very famous for its pomegranate. Since there are a lot of vineyards and orchards alongside both coasts of the Halil river in the Harran region, the city has plenty of vegetables at all seasons.  The area over the Damlacık Mountain, behind the inner fortress, also has orchards on it. The pomegranates here weigh about one oka (1283 gr) and sometimes 500 dirham (1600 gr) as big as a human head…Actually there is a lot of pomegranates in Maraş, too. They are dried in furnaces and even sent to other countries. But the Şanlıurfa pomegranate is favored everywhere.  In fact, they call pomegranate ‘Fire, the fruit of winter’…”

FROM MESOPOTAMIAN CULTURES TO PRESENT

We are proud to produce pomegranate extract, that has been one of the tastiest forms of this fruit cultivated for thousands of years in Mesopotamia and that still maintains a very prestigious place in all the cuisines of the region, according to the gastronomical traditions.  As the name “pomegranate extract-nar ekşisi” well deserves, we put just pure pomegranate in our bottles.