Pomona, the ancient Roman goddess representing fruit trees and orchards, derives her name from ‘pomum’, which translates to fruit or orchard fruit in Latin. Unlike many deities in Roman mythology, she holds a unique status with no direct Greek equivalent, although parallel comparisons can be drawn with Demeter, the Greek goddess of agriculture. Artistic representations often portray her as a charming and youthful maiden adorned with a crown of fruit and wielding a pruning knife. This name endures in modern language, influencing various English and French terms like pomegranate, pomme (the French word for apple), and even pomme de terre (French for potato or ‘apple of the earth’). Let’s explore the captivating history of this goddess.
A Wood Nymph
In ancient lore, Pomona is depicted as a hamadryad, or wood nymph, deeply dedicated to caring for fruit trees. Ovid remarks in his Metamorphoses about her unmatched skill in tending gardens in Latium. Her beauty did not go unnoticed, attracting various suitors, including Silvanus and Picus, yet Pomona’s preference remained solitary, focused on nurturing her beloved trees. Ovid eloquently describes her inclination for seclusion, stating, “Still fearing boorish aggression, she enclosed herself in an orchard (pomeria), and denied an entrance, and shunned men.”
Pomona Married Vertumnus
One persistent suitor, however, was Vertumnus, the god of seasons, change, and gardens. Ovid recounts how Vertumnus skillfully transformed his appearance to capture Pomona’s affection by disguising himself as an elderly woman. Once allowed into her orchard, he spun a cautionary tale about the repercussions of rejecting a lover, recounting the sorrowful narrative of Iphis and Anaxarette. Eventually, Pomona fell for his charm, leading to their marriage as they represented harmonious deities fostering growth and prosperity.
Goddess of Fruit Trees, Gardens, and Orchards
With her position as the goddess of fruit trees, Pomona was notably recognized for her pruning knife, a key symbol in her depictions. Frequently, artists illustrate her wielding this tool along with an assortment of fruits or a cornucopia. Ovid beautifully articulates her mastery over this tool: “She carried a curved pruning knife, not a javelin, with which she cut back the luxuriant growth, and lopped the branches spreading out here and there, now splitting the bark and inserting a graft, providing sap from a different stock for the nursling.”
The Goddess of Abundance
Her intrinsic link to fruit trees signifies Pomona’s connection to abundance and fertility. Artistic portrayals often show her amidst a lush, vibrant garden rich with life, symbolizing her nurturing essence that yields essential produce. Romans honored Pomona with a feast on August 13, coinciding with the season’s initial ripe fruits.
Moreover, Romans celebrated a festival for Pomona on November 1, an occasion some connect with the origins of modern Halloween. During this festival, offerings of apples and nuts were made to thank the deities for the harvest’s protection. Many Halloween traditions, such as apple bobbing and toffee apples, echo Pomona’s ties to these sacred fruits.
Pomona in Art and Culture
Throughout history, Pomona served as a muse, captivating numerous artists and writers, especially from the 16th to 19th centuries. Notable artists like Peter Paul Rubens celebrated her youthful beauty, while Dante Gabriel Rossetti and William Morris were drawn to her connections with nature’s exuberance that aligned with their artistic visions.
Pomona has also made appearances in notable public art, such as Karl Bitter’s Pulitzer Fountain in Manhattan’s Grand Army Plaza, and has been featured in C. S. Lewis’ beloved Chronicles of Narnia series, where she is depicted as a wood goddess blessing an orchard near Cair Paravel.
