For Olicatessen the olive tree
is the big rooftree
The olive tree and its symbolism
The cultivated olive tree (the wild olive is a naturalized plant for millennia) appeared in the Mediterranean region some thousands of years after, in its place of origin, the Middle East, about 7,000 years ago. In Peloponnese (south of Greece), olive cultivation began around the 3rd century BC. After the sixteenth century, Europeans brought the olive tree to America.
To give the first good harvest, it can take 15 years, which is considered an adult tree. If the weather conditions are ditch, it may take about 20 years to give the first fruits.
It is for this reason, being a tree of “late production”, when a war ended and olive trees were planted, it was understood that there were times of calm and peace.
The dove of peace is an emblem that represents peace by a dove with an olive branch in its beak. It has its roots in the culture of the Mediterranean basin, both in the Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions and in the Greco-Roman culture. The single olive branch, as a symbol of victory and peace that happens, is still used as a symbol of peace.
It also means longevity, because they are trees that live for many years (they are even said to be immortal due to their capacity for regeneration); It is a symbol of resistance and renewal as they can withstand adverse conditions and grow back. It also symbolizes prosperity and fertility because of its abundance in flowers and fruit.
The olive tree in different cultures and religions
In Ancient Greece, for example, olive oil was considered sacred and was used to anoint kings and athletes. The leafy branches of the olive trees were a symbol of abundance, glory and peace and were used to crown the victors of friendly games or wars.
The olive tree is also one of the most representative trees of Druidism and with its oil, many rituals and sacred celebrations were performed, representing happiness and peace. In this case, the olive tree is related to the autumn equinox, and they say that those born in Mabon, this holiday, are very shy and reserved, they do not like violence, they are calm, cheerful, logical, warm, and excellent judges or lawyers For this reason and according to tradition, the olive tree is until today a symbol of justice and peace.
We also find the olive tree present in the Egyptian culture where its branches are a symbol of blessing and purification and we find them present in the tomb of Tutankhamun
The olive tree also has an important role in the Bible where it is mentioned more than 30 times in both the Old and New Testaments.
The olive tree in art
The olive tree is one of the most cited plants in the literature. In Homer’s Odyssey, for example, Ulysses crawls under two olive shoots.
In painting, many artists have also expressed olive trees in their paintings. Of the most outstanding we can find Vincent Van Gogh who devoted himself the last years with a great intensity. But also, other painters like Carlos de Haes, Rafael Zabaleta, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, William Merritt Chase, John Singer Sargent, El Greco or Henri Matisse.
There are a lot of popular songs that have the olive, the harvest and the olives as the main protagonist of their lyrics, and authors such as Joan Manuel Serrat and David Reig Delhom, have created great pieces.
Even the cinema has echoed with the movie El Olivo, by Icíar Bollaín