In Europe, the pomegranate initially appeared more prominently as a symbol than as a food, portrayed in art, literature, religion, mythology and heraldry. In later years Western culture has revered the pomegranate for its medicinal properties, with the fruit featured on the heraldic crests of several medical institutions including the British Medical Association.

AD 1238–1358: During the Islamic Nasrid Dynasty, the Moors built the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, an immense palace and fortress that also contained a mosque, bath, royal residential quarters and courtrooms. Throughout the massive and beautifully crafted structure, pomegranates are depicted in the intricate archway designs and mosaics.

AD 1480–1502: The pomegranate emerged in Christian art as a symbol of Christ’s resurrection and promise of life after death. In paintings by Sandro Botticelli, Raphael and Filippino Lippi, the Virgin Mary appears with the infant Christ holding a pomegranate which represents plenitude, hope, spiritual fruitfulness and the Virgin Mary’s chastity. The Virgin Mary has also been likened to a pomegranate tree filled with sweetness because, like the enclosed seeds of a pomegranate, she is said to contain within her many benefits for mankind.

AD 1492: Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand ended the Reconquista of Spain when they conquered Granada, the last Muslim stronghold of Andalusia. According to local lore, Queen Isabella stood with a pomegranate in her hand and declared, “Just like the pomegranate, I will take over Andalusia seed by seed.” The pomegranate is not only the city’s namesake (granada, being Spanish for “pomegranate”), the fruit is included in its coat of arms to this day.

AD 1509: The pomegranate was incorporated into the royal coat of arms at the onset of the marriage of England’s King Henry VIII to Catherine of Aragon, daughter of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. Gilded pomegranates were used during the festivities surrounding the wedding ceremony and the Queen’s coronation. It is also said that Henry planted the first pomegranate tree in Britain.

AD 1522–1562: Eleonora di Toledo, wife of Cosimo I de Medici, Duke of Florence and the first Grand Duke of Tuscany, was depicted in several paintings wearing a dress that prominently displays a pomegranate design. Having secured the Medici line with the birth of seven sons she used the pomegranate to symbolize her valued role as a mother.

AD 1735: Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist called “The Father of Taxonomy” (the science of classifying living things), gave the pomegranate its botanical name, Punica granatum. The botanical name is similar to the pomegranate’s original Roman name Punicum malum.

AD 1812: The King of Rome, son of Napoleon Bonaparte and his second wife Marie Louise of Austria, is depicted holding a pomegranate, which for centuries had symbolized the noble birth and royal nature of European monarchs.  Other European royalty who used pomegranates included Maximilian I of Austria, Anne of Austria, Henry IV of France and Mary I of England.

AD 1900–1952: Pomegranates were part of modern artistic movements such as Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, Cubism and Surrealism. Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí all depicted pomegranates in their work.