Pomona

Pomona

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Pomona

Pomona, Nicolas Fouché, c. 1700.

In Roman mythology, Pomona was the goddess of fruit trees, gardens, and orchards. Her name comes from the Latin word, pomun, which translates to "fruit." She scorned the love of Silvanus and Picus but married Vertumnus after he tricked her, disguised as an old woman. Her high priest was called the flamen Pomonalis. The pruning knife was her attribute. She is a uniquely Roman goddess, never identitified with any Greek counterpart, and was particularly associated with the blossoming of trees versus the harvest.

In 19th century statues and building decorations she is usually shown carrying either a large platter of fruit or a cornucopia. A nude statue of Pomona is in the fountain in the little park before the Plaza Hotel in New York City. For a listing of cities named after her, see Pomona (disambiguation).

She is said to be a wood nymph. In popular culture, Pomona is the forename of Professor Sprout, the teacher of Herbology in the Harry Potter Series. In the series, Herbology is the study of magical plants. Pomona also appears in the Chronicles of Narnia as the wood-goddess who blessed the orchard which was planted outside Cair Paravel.

Pomona on the left, gracing the Beaux-Arts Peninsula (former Gotham) Hotel, New York City, built 1905, with Diana to the right. Click on the image for more information concerning this example of the Beaux-Arts style.

Vertumnus and Pomona by Luca Giordano (1682?1683), private collection

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