THE POMEGRANATE 265 



occasionallv introduced. Giovanni di Paolo sets 

 the * Nativity ' ' in an orchard of pomegranates, 

 and in a Florentine picture of the fourteenth 

 century ^ the newly-risen Christ is surrounded 

 by palms, pomegranates and flowers. These 

 pomegranates, however, do not seem to be used 

 attributively but merely to give some slight 

 geographical indication. Bethlehem was an 

 Eastern city; the tomb of Christ was in an 

 Eastern garden. 



The pomegranate is also, theoretically, the 

 emblem of the Virgin. * In the symbolism of 

 the cult of Mary, the ripe pomegranate, because 

 of its pleasant fragrance and its numerous 

 seeds, represents her beauty and many virtues, 

 but the gradually-developing fruit refers to her 

 life.' 3 



* The pomegranate with its crowned top is 

 her as queen, and typifies also hope and fruit- 

 fulness, the " Virginitas fecunda " of the octave 

 of Christmas.' * 



1 Vatican Gallery. » Ibid. 



• Dr Anselm Salzer, O.S.B. Die Sinnbilder und Beiworte 

 Martens in der deutschen Literatur und lateinischen Hymnen- 

 poesie des Mittelalters. 



* Mrs Henry Jenner, Christian Symbolism. 



