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Anatolia (Ottoman) · Abundance and fertility

Nar (pomegranate)

A fruit full of seeds: plenty and abundance.

What does it mean?

In Ottoman tiles and ceramics, the pomegranate tree and pomegranate, together with grape and vine motifs, symbolise plenty and abundance; the Rüstem Paşa Mosque, the Sultanahmet Mosque and the Çinili Köşk are among the buildings where these motifs are seen [1].

Related plants

  • Pomegranate: The symbol of abundance in Anatolia; broken when moving into a new house or at New Year.

Same theme

Elibelinde (hands on hips)Koçboynuzu (ram’s horn)Bereket (abundance)Küpe (earring)Başak (wheat ear)Asma ve üzüm (vine leaf and grape cluster)Bukağı (hobble)Ruyi

Sources

  1. Olcay Boratav, Merve Kılıçaslan, “Osmanlı Çini ve Seramiklerinde Kullanılan Ağaç Motifleri”, Social Science Development Journal 10(50), 2025

Drawing: Bitki Tabanı, interpreted from the traditional motif.