Editing Pomegranate (section)

=== Ancient Assyria ===
The pomegranate was an important fruit in the culture and rituals of ancient [[Assyria]]. The [[Mesopotamian goddess]] of healing, [[Gula (goddess)|Gula]], was commonly depicted with a pomegranate in her hand, symbolizing it as a means of protection and healing from sickness. Pomegranates were commonly used in ceremonies to promote agriculture and human reproduction, especially the seeds. It was believed that eating pomegranates would grant a long and prosperous life, as well as nourishment in the afterlife, due to the belief of the seeds representing eternal life. 

Pomegranates were also commonly depicted in Assyrian art pieces<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Collins |first=Paul |date=January 2006 |title=An Assyrian-Style Ivory Plaque from Hasanlu, Iran |url=https://doi.org/10.1086/met.41.20320658 |journal=Metropolitan Museum Journal |volume=41 |pages=19–31 |doi=10.1086/met.41.20320658 |issn=0077-8958}}</ref> to depict abundance and fruitfulness with the agricultural cycle,<ref>{{Citation |title=Openwork plaque with papyrus and pomegranates |date= |url=https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/324929 |access-date=2025-04-27}}</ref> and in the [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]] is an ivory bead object titled [[Pomegranate carved in the round]]. Today, the pomegranate remains an important symbol in modern [[Assyrian culture]].