REFLECTIONS OF THE POMEGRANATE MOTIF AS A MYTHOLOGICAL ELEMENT IN TEXTILE ART

Abstract

Native to Asia, the pomegranate is currently cultivated across a vast geographical range, extending from Australia to South Africa and the Americas to China. In ancient agrarian societies, flora and fauna were often imbued with mystical significance; consequently, the pomegranate has occupied a prominent position in the mythologies, legends, and belief systems of nearly all cultures within its habitat. Although extant ancient textile specimens are rare due to preservation challenges, archaeological evidence abounds with pomegranate depictions. As the utilitarian need for clothing evolved to include decorative elements, textiles became a medium for symbolic expression. Given that the history of weaving spans at least eight millennia, the incorporation of such a dominant cultural symbol into textile design was inevitable. Initially appearing as embroidery on plain weave fabrics, the motif evolved alongside weaving technologies to become an integral part of complex structural designs. This study examines textile artifacts featuring pomegranate motifs from various eras and cultures, analyzing them in light of archaeological findings and visual data.\nKeywords: Pomegranate, Archaeology, Mythology, Textile Design, Art History, Motif\n