Pomegranate: The Seeds of Abundance from Ancient Greece to Today's Jewelry and Skincare Routines
Millennia ago, the ancient Greeks revered it as a symbol of fertility; today, skincare enthusiasts choose it for its toning properties. And we? Both! We're talking about pomegranate in a post that explores it... from top to bottom!
Do you know how many seeds there are in a single pomegranate? About 600! Precisely for this reason, in ancient times it was a symbol of prosperity , wealth , and fertility . And it still is today: whether as a wearable jewel or a designer accessory, the pomegranate brings joy in all its forms. Even as a basic ingredient in your skincare routine. Want to know more? Keep reading!
Pomegranate: Ancient Greek Symbolism
Why do we at Biancamore have such a special eye for pomegranates ? Because here in Paestum, as throughout Ancient Greece, the pomegranate was a symbol of fertility associated with both the goddess Hera and the myth of Persephone .
The myth tells that, after being abducted, Persephone (daughter of Demeter and Zeus) ate six pomegranate seeds, unaware that those who eat the fruits of the underworld are doomed to remain there for eternity. During autumn and winter, therefore, Persephone was the wife of Hades and a minor goddess of the Underworld, while in spring and summer, she returned to her mother's arms, who, out of joy, made the fields bloom again and ensured abundant harvests. This is why the pomegranate is a symbol of abundance and prosperity.
The goddess Hera , protector of marriage, fidelity, and childbirth, was associated with the symbols of the peacock and the cow, but was depicted sitting on a throne and holding a pomegranate, a symbol of fertility and death . In this case, the pomegranate also evoked the opium poppy due to its shape.
Over the centuries, here in Paestum, the cult of the pomegranate has survived in that of the Madonna del Granato, of Capaccio Vecchia, who holds a pomegranate in her hands.
How did we pay homage to this tradition?
MiniMel: Your Great Joys
To celebrate the territory and the pomegranate tradition, this year we decided to collaborate with a historic company with a young and adventurous heart: Gioielleria Iannuzzi of Capaccio Paestum , founded in 1977 and run by Rossella & Enzo.
From this collaboration was born MiniMel, the Pomegranate of Great Joys . With this precious creation, the pomegranate, a symbol of abundance, fertility, wealth, and prosperity, becomes a precious jewel to wear. You can find MiniMel at Casa Biancamore in Paestum.
An opportunity to revive ancient auspicious traditions and bring them into everyday life with modern materials and shapes. But above all, it's a chance to celebrate the joys experienced and those yet to come.
For whoever receives it, a promise of great happiness… to be fully experienced.
And MiniMel isn't our first homage to the pomegranate! Another precious accessory that can revive traditions is…
The ceramic pomegranate: our one-of-a-kind piece!
Just a few years ago, in collaboration with the multifaceted artist Nicola Craba, we created three versions of the ceramic pomegranate: the Paestum pomegranate, the Biancamore pomegranate, and the Diver's pomegranate.
Don't know Nicola Craba ? Let us introduce him: a multifaceted artist, a lover of the wheel and Paestum ceramics, he was born in Nuremberg in 1983 and, after living in Trento, returned to Cilento, his mother's homeland. In Paestum, he became a student of Sergio Vecchio and Bruna Alfieri. His growth is one of matured ingenuity, independent training, boundless creativity, and pure empathy. After participating in various social projects, he dedicated himself to his original project, Ceramì.
All three versions of the ceramic Pomegranate are handmade by Craba himself, and celebrate the territory by telling different aspects of it:
- the Pomegranate of Paestum , in red, represents the fruit in all its powerful mythology that still fascinates and conquers today;
- the Diver's Pomegranate , which is also dedicated to the famous Tomb of the Diver in Paestum: it is made from natural galestro clay containing fragments of stones and crystals that, over time, detach from the surface, giving it an ancient aura, unique to each piece;
- the Biancamore Pomegranate , which celebrates abundance combined with beauty and purity... and which could only be white!
These are not just accessories or original gift ideas, but handcrafted products that are one of a kind: from the texture to the symbolism, from the color to the shape, each pomegranate is a unique and precious piece .
And then? If it's a symbol of abundance and fertility, it can only be good for your skin: here's how!
Biancamore line with buffalo milk and pomegranate
Few people know this, but pomegranate seeds:
- they are a formidable anti-aging agent , because they prevent the deterioration of collagen and the formation of free radicals
- they have toning and regenerating properties
- they restore natural hyaluronic acid levels because they are rich in vitamin E, phytohormones and phytosterols.
Plus, when combined with buffalo milk , they provide deep hydration, smoothing out small signs of aging and nourishing even the driest skin. That's why we created the Body Cream , Hand Soap , and Lip Balm with buffalo milk and pomegranate : true must-haves for skin toning!
And you, which pomegranate do you choose?
After this journey into the various facets of the pomegranate, and its 600 seeds, you'll surely want to keep a fragment of the myth around your neck, at home, or in your beauty case.
Which one will you choose?
Read also >> BEAUTY ROUTINE AND MAKEUP IN ANCIENT GREECE: SKINCARE FROM OLYMPUS TO US
