Pomegranate is one of the plants, the value of which was and still is highly cherished in the East.The flowers and fruits of the pomegranate symbolize wealth, plentitude and fertility.
The first pomegranate was probably cultivated in Persia and Afghanistan, due to the areas ideal climate. It is presumed that the Sokorta islands, off the Yemenite coast, is where the wild pomegranate tree originate from.
Before The Great ice Age pomegranate also grew on the territory of present day France. The first replica of a pomegranate was found in a tomb in Tel-Al-Amarn and was allocated to the time period of the rein of Amenhotep lV-th (1375-1358 B.C.). It has furthermore been established that ancient Jews cultivated pomegranate as far back as 5000 years ago. The Romans obtained their first pomegranate through the Phoenicians (the Latin punica granatum signifies Phoenician apple).

Apart from its culinary and medical qualities, pomegranates are the perfect decorative plant. Pomegranate is especially beautiful when in bloom, covered by red fairly big flowers, in the shape of jugs. The green plant is used in landscape design as a hedge or it can be planted free standing. Each flower blooms only for 3-4 days, but the blossoming period of a pomegranate tree lasts for 1 to 3 months, due to the shear amount of blossoms on every stem. The blossom with its 5 to 8 petals develops a fruit with a thick rind. In turn the fruit consists of numerous angular seeds surrounded by juicy purple pulp that tastes sour to sweet sour. The fruits of wild pomegranate are bitter. Wild pomegranate grows on dry rubble and stone slopes, even at 1000 m above sea level. Pomegranate resemble the shape of an apple. They ripen from September till November. Good care results in a harvest of 50 to 60 kg of fruits from one tree alone, with a fruit weighing between 300 to 600 g and consisting of 400 to 700 seeds. The edible part accounts for 50% of the fruit.

Pomegranate is an ancient medical plant. Abu Ali lbn Sino in his "Al Kanon" wrote that all parts of the pomegranate hold healing powers. The flower (gul anor) is used against all type's of bleeding, to strengthen the gums. Powder from pomegranates "heals old wounds and ulcers, cracks and gaps" according to an ancient script. The bark of pomegranate tree branches and trunk are used to fight hepatitis cough, injuries, contain sedative agents and eliminate microbes. Besides, the bark of its branches and the rind are rich in tanning agents used in the production of the finest le athers.

Pomegranate fruit is extremely healthy, rich in vitamins. Its juice consists of about 14% vitamin C, 8-9% sugar, 9% citric acid, Pomegranate juice is appreciated as a refreshing beverage. Soft dry wines and sherbets, grenadine lemonade and punch as well as hot spice mix for rich meat courses (sirco) are made from pomegranate juice. Pomegranate leaves can be used instead of tea. White Dashnabad pomegranate fruits, grown in the Surkhandaria area of Uzbekistan, are considered to be the queen of all granates, thanks to their extraordinarily sweet juice. Pomegranate together with fig and persimmon is a precious subtropical plant and favorite delicacy of oriental women.

Pomegranate is one of the most mystical trees on earth. Salvador Dali incorporated the theme into one of his masterpieces, the "Dream...".

Naturally, many an Eastern legend and myths are linked to this royal fruit. Here is one of them.

Since the beginning of mankind, scientists have been trying to find an elixir of eternal youth as there have been and will always be wealthy people who would have paid any price to remain young. An aging emir wasn't an exception and he promised to bestow great happiness and riches on anybody who would restore his youth. Now there was an old and wise man, much versed in the healing powers of plants and herbs. He advised the emir to take a bath, once a year, in a pool of pomegranate juice. There was to be but one condition: the pomegranates had to be only of one specific, very rare sort - white pomegranate. The emir's envoy were dispatched to bring home the desired plant and not before long, a pomegranate tree was brought down from the mountains and planted in the emir's garden. The Emir longingly counted the days till autumn and when the pomegranate fruits started falling from the tree, ordered to have a pool with pomegranate juice. The precious fruits were squeezed for every drop of juice until the pool was full to the brim. Eagerly, the aging emir threw off his gold embroidered gown, got into the pool and waited. Nothing happened. Angry, the emir ordered to punish the healer but the latter had in the meantime passed away. Since that day it is said that if you squeeze a pool of white pomegranate and bath in it, you will feel young and alive.

National ceramics

The blooming pomegranate flower anor gul is very popular in national Uzbek ceramics as a symbol of flourishing. It should be noticed that almost in each and every garden in Rishtan, one of Uzbekistan's main ceramic centers, there is a pomegranate tree. Each master depicts the motive in his own way, sometimes adding to the picture a kumgan (ablution jug) the symbol of prosperity and wealth. Blue Rishtan ceramics can be bought in fine art-galleries in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Fergana.

Traditional folk motives often encourage masters of modern art to create new forms. Jewelry from Bukhara beautiful embroidery from Shakhrisabz, soft gobelins from Fergana, clear ceramics from Rishtan, dolls from Samarkand everywhere you will see pomegranate, because it is a symbol of wealth, plenty and fertility.

Modern artists of Uzbekistan often use the pomegranate theme to express the ambience within the traditional family nucleus. Each one of the 300 seeds of a pomegranate has its personal specificity, but at the same time it is an integral part of one fruit. The most important moment in the life of every man takes place within and among his family, that is why in any big Uzbek court yard you will see parents, adult children, grandsons and great-grandsons.

"Pomegranate chai khana" (teahouse) is one of the most famous works of Mr. Volkov the prominent Central Asian artist. The work was created at the beginning of XX century. This famous master saw in the trapezoid seeds of pomeg-ranates three bent men, drinking tea in cool chai khana. Still today, the chai khana is still the best place to drink aromatic green tea and talk about the meaning of life.