Pomona (mythology) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pomona
Goddess of fruit trees, fruitful abundance, plenty, gardens, and orchards
Statue of Pomona, Naples Archaeology Museum (late 2nd century AD)
Major cult center	Pomonal
Abode	gardens and orchards
Symbols	pruning knife
Festivals	Vertumnalia
Consort	Vertumnus

Tapestry depicting the goddess Pomona.

Pomona was the ancient Roman goddess of fruit trees, gardens, and fruitful abundance. Her name comes directly from the Latin word pomum, which means orchard fruit or apple. She was honored as a special kind of nature spirit known as a wood nymph. People in the ancient world believed that she cared for orchards and helped fruit blossom.

Unlike many famous Roman gods, she did not have an obvious twin in Greek mythology. However, the Greek goddess of autumn fruit named Opora and the harvest goddess Demeter shared very similar roles. While other deities watched over big grain harvests, Pomona focused entirely on sweet, delicious fruits that grew on branches.

The Meaning of Her Ancient Name

The ancient name Pomona comes from early speech roots that describe sweet treats growing on trees. Scholars study language history, known as etymology, to discover how ancient words formed over time.

Roots from the Latin Language

In the classical Latin language, the word pomus means a fruit-tree or the fruit itself. Early tribes in Italy spoke related tongues such as Proto-Italic and Umbrian, where a related divine figure named Puemune appeared. Linguists trace these words back thousands of years to the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. The early root words meant "what is picked" or "what is gathered from branches."

The Stories of Pomona in Roman Mythology

Ancient storytellers wrote fantastic tales about how Pomona lived among her beloved trees. The Roman poet Ovid shared the most famous story about her in his classical books of mythology.

A Goddess Who Loved Gardening

Pomona loved the quiet countryside, especially sunny gardens, quiet groves, and sweet apple orchards. She was not interested in wandering wild forests or fighting in great battles. Instead, her favorite tool was a curved pruning knife, which she used to trim dead twigs. She made sure roots stayed watered and tied heavy branches so they would not snap under the weight of fruit.

Forest gods admired her skill and tried to win her friendship. Woodland spirits named Silvanus and the bird-loving king Picus wanted her attention. However, Pomona preferred working outdoors with her plants rather than entertaining visitors. She even built high fences around her orchard to keep unwanted guests out.

The Trick of Vertumnus

One day, the Roman god of seasons and plant changes, named Vertumnus, decided to visit Pomona. Vertumnus possessed the magical power to change his shape into anything he wished. He disguised himself as a fisherman, a soldier, and a grape picker just to enter her gate. Pomona admired his hard work in the garden, but she did not want to leave her plants.

Finally, Vertumnus disguised himself as a kind, gentle old grandmother with silver hair. Dressed in simple clothes, he walked into the garden and praised the beautiful, ripe apples on her trees. He sat next to an elm tree wrapped with grapevines and explained how plants grow best when they support one another. He then told Pomona that the young god Vertumnus admired her care for the soil.

Vertumnus stepped out of his disguise and revealed his true, glowing form. Pomona was amazed by his clever shape-shifting and his genuine love for nature. She agreed to become his companion, and the two ruled side by side over orchards, gardens, and changing seasons.

Worship and Sacred Traditions in Ancient Rome

Pomona had an official place in ancient Roman religion and everyday community life. Roman families asked her to protect their crops from spring freezes and summer pests.

Sacred Groves and Ancient Priests

Pomona had a dedicated holy forest called the Pomonal. This peaceful grove sat just outside the city walls, near Ostia, which was the busy seaport of ancient Rome. Roman citizens visited the grove to leave fresh fruit and seasonal flowers at her altar.

The Romans appointed a special priest called the flamen Pomonalis to look after her traditions. Even though this priest had a modest rank, he performed official ceremonies every year to ensure fruitful harvests. Pomona and Vertumnus were honored together during a midsummer festival on August 13.

Places and Things Named After Pomona

Because Pomona represents sweet fruit, blooming trees, and healthy land, many communities and discoveries carry her name across the world.

Cities and Towns across the Globe

The city of Pomona, California, in Los Angeles County, was named after the goddess. The founders wanted to celebrate the rich orange groves and vineyards in the valley. The prestigious school Pomona College was founded there before moving to nearby Claremont.

In the American Midwest, the township of Pomona, Illinois, located in Jackson County, honors her memory. This area features rolling hills, quiet forests, and busy orchards. Another town, Pomona Park, Florida, in Putnam County, received its name because citrus farming dominated local history.

Across the ocean in Australia, a rural town in the Shire of Noosa, Queensland, took the name Pomona in 1900. Located north of Brisbane, the town grew near Pinbarren, close to the towns of Cooroy and Cooran. Officials chose the name Pomona because the surrounding soil was rich and fertile for growing crops.

Harbors, Space Rocks, and Honeybees

In England, the famous Pomona Docks were built on the former grounds of the historic Pomona Gardens along the Manchester docks. People loved to visit the area for entertainment, riverside walks, and family outings.

Astronomers also look for the fruit goddess in outer space. In 1854, researchers discovered a large space rock orbiting the Sun called 32 Pomona, which travels within the main belt asteroid zone.

Scientists even named a tiny insect after her in 2003. A wild honeybee subspecies called Apis mellifera pomonella, related to common bees (Apis mellifera), was discovered high in the Tien Shan Mountains of Central Asia. This mountain range holds the world's greatest variety of wild apple trees, known scientifically as Malus. In fact, the wild ancestor of modern domestic apples, called M. sieversii, grows wild in these forests, where Pomona's namesake bees buzz from flower to flower.

Appearances in Art, Books, and Plays

Pomona has inspired artists, writers, and sculptors for hundreds of years. She usually appears holding a curved knife, a platter of fresh apples, or an overflowing horn of plenty.

Statues in Famous Parks

A shining bronze statue of Pomona stands atop the grand Pulitzer Fountain in New York City. The fountain sits in Grand Army Plaza right next to Central Park. The famous publisher Joseph Pulitzer gave funds to construct the fountain, which architect Thomas Hastings designed. The talented artist Karl Bitter sculpted the figure of Pomona, and workers opened the monument to the public in May 1916.

Another historic statue of Pomona stands at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society at the Elm Bank Horticulture Center. There, she stands alongside other nature figures, celebrating the art of caring for gardens.

Books, Music, and Theater

Pomona also appears in modern stories that kids read today. The author C. S. Lewis mentions her briefly in his beloved fantasy book Prince Caspian, part of the Narnia series.

Musicians wrote stage performances in her honor, including the 1702 German opera Der Sieg der fruchtbaren Pomona by composer Reinhard Keiser. In 2014, playwright Alistair McDowell wrote a modern drama called Pomona for the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Her story reminds people everywhere to value clean air, tall trees, and fresh fruit.

Related Topics

• Karpo, the ancient Greek spirit of fruits and harvest time.
• Leucothoe, a figure from ancient mythology.
• The musical performance Pomona, created by composer Constant Lambert and dance director Frederick Ashton, with art designed by Vanessa Bell, presented by the Vic-Wells Ballet at the famous Sadler's Wells Theatre in January 1933.