This stone earned its name from the Latin term, “granatus,” which means seed or grain. This is a reference to the stone resembling the seeds of the pomegranate fruit. In Greek mythology, the pomegranate fruit and garnet connection became associated with Persephone, the goddess of spring and the Queen of the Underworld. The legend says that Hades, the ruler of the Underworld, kidnapped her. Her distraught mother, Demeter, neglected her responsibilities as the goddess of harvest, and the earth and people around her began suffering the loss as well. In an attempt to repair damages, a messenger, Hermes, was sent to bring Persephone back to the surface world. Unfortunately, before returning to Olympus, Persephone had eaten six pomegranate seeds, which, according to ancient traditions and laws, meant that she was bound and obligated to stay in the Underworld. After discovering this, Zeus decided on a compromise, where Persephone would live in the Underworld for six months out of the year, the same number of pomegranate seeds she had eaten, and live in Olympus the remainder of the year. This is how ancient Greek mythology explained the seasons as well, as during the months Persephone lived in the Underworld, her mother Demeter would be struck with grief again, causing the dark and cold months, now known as winter. When Persephone would return, her mother’s joy and warmth returned and the earth would be alive and thriving again, becoming what is now called spring.