Handmade ceramic pomegranate decorated with an elegant "Nastaliq Persian calligraphy" design in gold on a dark blue background.

10 x 10 cm handmade ceramic pomegranate decorated with an elegant design of "Nastaliq Persian calligraphy" in gold that stands out against a deep dark blue background. This style of calligraphy is used especially in poetic literature or with a decorative aspect in advertisements, titles and hand-written or painted artworks. Mir Ali Tabrizi, originally from Tabriz, was the creator of this beautiful form of artistic expression in the 14th century.

The Farsi text reads: “No matter how hard my heart tries, without you the fire lights up inside me and I can’t put it out.”

The figure of the pomegranate is very important in Persian culture and is considered a symbol of the "Night of Yalda" as well as representing fertility, happiness and rebirth. This holiday is celebrated on December 21st and is one of the most important dates on the calendar as it represents the longest night of the year that marks the winter solstice and also commemorates the triumph of light over darkness. The origin of this ancient festival dates back to the pre-Islamic period of Persia and became officially recognized under the government of the Achaemenid dynasty around the 6th century BC. The word "Yalda" means "birth" and refers to the birth of the god Mithras, the solar cult later adopted by the Romans and which would influence Christian Christmas.