Pinecones are a powerful symbol that you’ll see all over Sicily and southern Italy in ceramic (like these shown) on balconies, front gates, and prominently displayed inside homes. The significance of pinecones in modern times is one of hospitality and welcoming, but not only.

The pinecone as a botanical is a reproductive organ. Female pinecones hold seeds. Male pinecones hold pollen. From ancient Greek times, the pine cone recalls the Greek god of male fertility, Dionysus (who had one atop his staff or thyrsus) – – remember, fertility translates to prosperity!

Furthermore, in ancient, spiritual wisdom, images of the botanical represent the third eye – – awakened inner spiritual wisdom. And so, the pinecone communicates human enlightenment, regeneration, resurrection, and eternal life. Needless to say, it’s a powerful souvenir for yourself or a loved one. These handcrafted ones shown, I photographed in Sciacca, Sicily.