REFLECTIONS OF POMEGRANATE MYTHOLOGY ON FASHION DESIGN

Abstract

Fruits are not only useful and delicious food sources, but also an indispensable part of socio-cultural
life (Çağlıtütüncügil, 2013: 78). Since the fruits on the tree are closest to the sky (that is, to God),
they are under the privilege of lords, princes and nobles. Foods grown underground, such as
potatoes, which are at the bottom of the hierarchy, are considered foods suitable for the substrate. In
mythology, belief traditions, holy books, and mysticism, fruits represent saying something (Naksali,
2006, XII). Thus, various beliefs about fruits were born, fruits became symbols, and the language of
fruits was formed. The development of humanity has, in many respects, been tied to fruition.
The pomegranate fruit has come to the fore with its iconographic meanings rather than fruit. The
pomegranate has enriched its location not only with its beauty of form, but also with its symbolic
values, which have historical depth and intensity of meaning, reaching legends. Historical values
and motifs play an important role in carrying culture forward. The pomegranate motif has positive
meanings such as fertility, abundance, love, continuity of marriage, beauty and children in all
civilizations. Expressing the value of such an important motif, expanding its usage area, keeping it
alive and spreading it are among the aims. The fact that the motif has not been dealt with in terms of
fashion design before has been effective in the selection of the subject.
In this study, the literature on the subject was searched and the meanings attributed to the
pomegranate fruit in Sumerian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Vietnamese and Japanese civilizations
were examined. Inspired by the image, history and mythological meanings of the pomegranate, it
has also been tried to be reflected in the fashion industry. In this context, a storyboard and six
clothing designs were made. The drawings were created with the procreate program. In this study,
which was carried out with the logic of collection, pomegranate motifs were stylized, clothing
design suggestions were presented and the clothes were made ready for production. It is thought
that this study will contribute to the employees related to the subject, especially fashion designers.