The pomegranate was chosen by Middle Eastern civilizations for nutrition and sustenance during long-distance journeys. It was so prized for its hearty skin and juicy interior, the pomegranate achieved symbolic status.

3500–2000 BC: Based on excavations of the Early Bronze Age, it is believed that the pomegranate was one of the first cultivated fruits. Most scholars support the belief that the pomegranate was native to Iran and the Himalayas in Northern India, then cultivated over the whole Mediterranean region of Asia, Africa and Europe, migrating as far east as China where it has been cultivated since the pre-Christian era.

957 BC: Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem was built. Pillars in the temple were decorated with pomegranates and the fruit was included on the robes of Jewish priests. The Torah describes the robes: “And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about: a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.” Exodus 28:33–34
Over the centuries, pomegranates adorned Jewish coinage, furniture and jewelry.

700–600 BC: Zoroastrianism became the major religion of ancient Persia with the basic tenet that there is a constant battle between good and evil. Pomegranates were associated with fertility and seen as representative of the vegetable world, which provides man with food. Pomegranate trees were planted in the courtyards of Zoroastrian temples because their leaves, remaining green most of the year, stood as a symbol of eternal life..

485–465 BC: Because the pomegranate is a symbol of strength in the Persian culture, the Persian army of Xerxes carried spears with pomegranates instead of spikes on the tip when they invaded Greece in 480 BC.

AD 50–85: The completion and printing of the first bible included elements of the Torah, known as the Old Testament. The references to pomegranates remain intact, including the passage: “Let us go early to the vineyards to see… if the pomegranates are in bloom – there I will give you my love.” Song of Solomon 7:12

AD 609–632: Muhammad, the prophet whose visions laid the foundation of Islam, considered the pomegranate to be a precious fruit filled with nutrition, bringing both emotional and physical peace. Legend has it that each pomegranate contains one aril descended directly from paradise. Pomegranates were abundant in Islamic art and architecture.