Sometimes, a single bite can alter the fate of both a person and the natural world. Persephone, the goddess of Spring, made a choice that altered the seasons forever. Interestingly enough, her story is a reflection of the actions those around her make, namely her mother, father and husband. Persephone was born from the same blood as Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, and her father, King of the gods, Zeus. Demeter adored Persephone for how bright and full of life she was. So intensely that she vowed to protect her from any form of darkness or evil, which in turn created a very isolated environment for Persephone. Persephone spent her youth gathering flowers and enjoying the beauty of the mortal world.
Persephone's Myth
While there are many iterations of how the myth transpires, all of them begin like any other normal day. According to the Homeric 'Hymn to Demeter,' the story is told of how Persephone was gathering narcissus flowers on a mountain in the Vale of Nysa. Bending down for one, the ground opened and she was seized by Hades and taken, against her will, to the Underworld(2). There are many artistic depictions of this scene, image 2 is one of those depictions.
Persephone being abducted by Hades(image 2)
It is up for much debate as to what actually happened and what intentions were presented. While others claim she saw something in Hades and went willingly, most understand the tale as a kidnapping against one's will. Most versions of the myth showcase Persephone despising the Underworld upon first arrival but then slowly, she fell in love with Hades and the Underworld. Hades loved her so much that he had given Persephone power and called her his queen, which is not a common occurrence in the world of Greek myths and shows his devotion to her. On the other hand, Persephone is understood to have no say in her fate which is ultimately a common "depiction of a women subjected by force" (8).
Once Demeter caught word of what happened, she was devastated by the loss of her daughter. Demeter wandered the earth searching for Persephone and neglected her duties as goddess of grain and crop, the provider of the harvest. Her love for her daughter was so fierce that she "refused to let the earth fruit until Persephone was returned"(5). Crops withered, famine spread across the world, and humanity faced extinction. Seeing the destruction caused by Demeter's grief, Zeus, who had originally conspired with Hades, intervened and ordered Hades to release Persephone(5). However, before she left, Persephone unknowingly ate several pomegranate seeds from the Underworld due to missing the luscious fruits from the mortal worlds. Because anyone who consumed food from the realm of the dead was bound to it, Persephone could not fully return to her former life. Instead, she was required to spend part of each year in the Underworld with Hades and the remainder with her mother (2). A deeper detailed rundown of the origin myth can be found here.
The Return of Persephone(image 3)
The consequences of Persephone's return shaped the natural world as we see it today. When Persephone reunites with Demeter, she "made the [E]arth bloom and grow bountiful after her absence" (6). As seen in image 3, off to the left, is a depiction of Demeter welcoming back Persephone with loving, open arms after she is returned from the Underworld. If you notice, there are flowers beginning to bloom near Demeters feet and there is ivy growing at the opening of the underworld, signaling the arrival of the goddess of Spring. But, when she returns to the Underworld, Demeter mourns her absence and her "loss was expressed in the barrenness of [A]utumn and [W]inter"(6). Through this cycle of reunion and separation, the myth offers an explanation for the changing seasons and the recurring rhythms of life, death, and rebirth. Yet behind this seasonal story lies a deeper symbol: the pomegranate.
The Pomegranate
The pomegranate is a very complex symbol within the arena of Greek mythology. They are specifically significant in the myth of Persephone. It is known to be one of the most important symbols in Persephone's myth because it represents"both blood and death, both fertility and marriage" (7).Their countless seeds symbolized life and prosperity, making them a common symbol in marriage rituals. The pomegranate's symbolism extends beyond simply representing marriage and death; it marks the moment Persephone's identity is permanently transformed. While there is debate whether or not Persephone was forced or tricked into eating the fruit while others argue she was hungry and looking for something with familiar taste. The fact that such a significant transformation hinges on a single act highlights how little control Persephone has over her own fate in many versions of the myth. Whether she was tricked, forced, or willingly ate the seeds, the result is the same: her life is permanently altered by a decision made under circumstances she did not fully control. Either way, because Persephone consumed the seeds while in the Underworld, the fruit became permanently linked to death and the realm of the dead. One scholar notes that, "the moment that Persephone eats Hades's pomegranate seed and becomes his wife is the moment that death and marriage become inextricably linked together" (9). To which, she "becomes a way of evoking the connection between marriage and death" (9).
Persephone and Her Pomegranate (image 4)
Viewed through a gendered lens, the pomegranate becomes a symbol of the expectations that are placed upon young women as they move from the protection of their families into relationships shaped by patriarchal structures, prompting the observation that "Persephone's easy seduction by these symbols indicates her greater susceptibility to the dangers and pleasures of sexuality with the male" (7). As seen in image 4, it looks as though she is grasping the pomegranate close to her heart and seemingly protecting and almost cherishing it, as if it were sacred. That placement gives the idea that the pomegranate symbolizes more than just a fruit. Ultimately, the placement of the pomegranate in this story becomes a powerful symbol of how women's identities and desires are shaped by a society that is prejudice. The pomegranate turns Persephone's almost innocent coming of age story into a mirror of how limited women's agency was minimized to in the ancient world.
Modern Media
Hades and Persephone in Kaos (image 5)
Like many other modern retellings of Greek myths, and myths in general, they often challenge the patriarchal assumptions embedded in traditional versions of the story. The story, that the majority of people understand to be true, is how Persephone's marriage is portrayed as something imposed upon her by powerful male gods, leaving her with little agency over her own fate. Although, contemporary authors frequently retell and reinterpret her relationship with Hades in a modern way. It is portrayed as a relationship built on mutual respect, partnership, understanding, love, and personal choice. One of the most notable recent examples (you so kindly recommended to me) is Netflix's Kaos, which reimagines Greek mythology for modern audiences. It is an interpretation worth noting because rather than presenting Persephone solely as an imprisoned and passive victim, the series depicts her as an intelligent and capable woman who actively shapes her own destiny. As seen in image 5, this is a still image from the show at a moment when they are dealing with a difficult situation that is being forced upon them. This image portrays them taking it head-on, like a team, behind the same desk.Within the series, right now she is essentially running the Underworld by herself because Hades is deteriorating from working so much. Her relationship with Hades is portrayed less as an abduction and more as a partnership between equals, challenging the patriarchal view of marriage that dominates many traditional tellings of the myth.
Check out this basic guide to learn more about the show's characters.
Click here to watch the trailer:
Final Thoughts
This reinterpretation reflects a broader cultural shift in how audiences understand Persephone's story. While ancient versions often focused on obedience, ownership, and divine authority, modern adaptations emphasize agency, consent, and self-discovery. Much like the pomegranate itself, Persephone's myth continues to evolve over time. What began as a story explaining the seasons has become a powerful exploration of identity, independence, and the ways people navigate love, family, and change.
Works cited
Images:
(1) A Pomegranate for Persephone, https://femminaclassica.com/a-pomegranate-for-persephone/. Accessed 23 June 2026.
(2) Rubens. Persephone being abducted by Hades. "Myth of the Week: Persephone," 5 Dec. 2011. Madeline Miller, https://madelinemiller.com/myth-of-the-week-persephone/. Accessed 23 June 2026.
(3) Leighton, Fredrick. Hermes bringing Persephone back to her joyful mother. "Myth of the Week: Persephone," 5 Dec. 2011. Madeline Miller, https://madelinemiller.com/myth-of-the-week-persephone/. Accessed 23 June 2026.
(4) Rossetti, Dante Gabriel. Persephone with her pomegranate. "Myth of the Week: Persephone," 5 Dec. 2011. Madeline Miller, https://madelinemiller.com/myth-of-the-week-persephone/. Accessed 23 June 2026.
(5) "Netflix's Kaos: What is the actual myth of Hades and Persephone?," 29 Aug 2024. Cosmopolitan, https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a61982167/netflix-kaos-hades-and-persephone-myth/. Accessed 23 June 2026.
Sources:
(2) Britannica Editors. "Persephone". Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 Apr. 2026, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Persephone-Greek-goddess. Accessed 23 June 2026.
(5) Atsma, Aaron J. “Persephone.” Theoi, Theoi Project, www.theoi.com/Khthonios/Persephone.html. Accessed 23 June 2026.
(6) “Persephone and then Seasons.” Hellenic Museum , 1 Sept. 2017, www.hellenic.org.au/post/persephone-and-the-seasons.
(7) Arthur, Marylin. “POLITICS AND POMEGRANATES: AN INTERPRETATION OF THE HOMERIC HYMN TO DEMETER.” Arethusa, vol. 10, no. 1, 1977, pp. 7–47. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org.proxy-commonwealthu.klnpa.org/stable/26307824. Accessed 23 June 2026.
(8) Mackin, Ellie. "Girls Playing Persephone (in Marriage and Death)." Brill Academic Publishers, Aug 2016, pp. 209-228. DOI 10.1163/1568525X-12342276. Accessed 23 June 2026.
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