In Buddhism, the pomegranate is considered one of three blessed fruits, along with the citrus fruit and the peach.
Throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods the pomegranate appeared in numerous paintings with the Virgin Mary and Child representing resurrection and life everlasting.
A thumb-sized, ivory pomegranate bearing an ancient Hebrew inscription is the only relic ever recovered from Jerusalem’s First Temple (also known as Solomon’s Temple). It’s considered one of Israel’s most significant archeological discoveries. [586 B.C.]
(I Kings 7:18,20) "Building Solomon’s Temple" "And he made the pillars, and two rows round about upon the one network, to cover the chapiters that were upon the top, with pomegranates: and so did he for the other chapiter."
Mohammad is said to have praised pomegranates for their nutritional and spiritual value, and to have encouraged his followers to eat them as a means of purging their bodies of envy and hatred.
Fâtiha-khwân
"Happy-checked saqi of mine, give the cup like pomegranate blossom; if for my sake you will not give for the sake of the heart of the Beloved."