Ulakbilge - Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi
www.ulakbilge.com
Cilt 8, Sayı 44  2020/1  (ISSN: 2148-0451, E-ISSN: )
Semih BÜYÜKKOL

NO Makale Adı
1577971748 REFLECTIONS OF THE POMEGRANATE SYMBOL IN TURKISH MYTHOLOGY TO THE CONTEMPORARY TURKISH PAINTING ARTS

Pomegranate, had been an important fruit for various civilizations in their cultures, mythologies, narratives, tales and arts, starting from the first ages and always finding place with its symbolic aspect attributed with both direct and different meanings and countless benefits in health aspects. Pomegranate can be often encountered in different cultures as well as Turkish mythology and culture, seen as the symbol of all births, growth and the idea of reproduction, the representation of abundance and the holy fruit of paradise in religious perspective.
It can be seen that the subjects and symbols of mythology are recurrently contextualized in each era of the Turkish painting arts; interpreted in different styles and transformed into work of arts. Starting especially from the establishment of the Republic, as a state policy, the meeting of the arts with the community has been considered significant and all cultural values, mythological narrations have been important subjects taking place in painting arts. Pomegranate, with its important place in Turkish mythology, can be seen as miniatures from the beginning of Turkish Painting Arts history and reaching today with its significance of being an important mythological subject.
This study examines the paintings of contemporary Turkish painting artists who hold pomegranate symbol, in aesthetic aspect and shows the reflections of our mythological richness to the painting arts. Artists’ production of works, utilized from Turkish mythology, retention of value judgements, religious beliefs, symbolic approaches, ethical approaches and modus vivendi in myths and legends of Turkish culture and handing down the next generations carry significant importance.

Keywords: Pomegranate, Mythology, Art, Painting, Contemporary Turkish Arts