Recently we heard about two rival pop stars having a go at “extending the olive branch”. While most people know what it means, a lot of people, like myself, do not know the origins of this phrase. Join Boredom Buster Triage in learning the history of the olive branch.

Greek Mythology — The olive tree and its branch are featured in many mythological stories of the Gods and Goddess from before the common era.

• Posiden wanted to claim Attica for his own. He threw a trident and created a saltwater well as his mark of ownership. Athena then placed an olive tree by the well. The Olympic deities sided with Athena as she created the first olive tree. It is from this myth that the olive tree represents peace and prosperity.
• Hercules was known for a club he carried that was made from an olive tree. He used this club to defend himself and commit great feats. In this myth, the olive tree became a symbol of strength.
• The olive tree, as a sacred tree, was often used by Greek mortals as an offering to the gods. Theseus offered an olive branch to Apollo in return for protection. Orestes offered an olive branch to Apollo while praying for forgiveness for his sins.
• During festivals of deities, the ancient Greeks gave olive oil to the winner of various competitions as an offering from the gods.

Roman Culture — A leader would hold out an olive branch as a request for peace.

• This may have been because an olive tree takes at least 7 years to fully mature and start producing fruit. They can live up to a thousand years and some may not start producing until they are almost a century old. For this reason, growers would not plant new olive trees in times of war. They would not be able to take the time and care needed for it to mature. Peace was needed to properly cultivate an olive tree.
• As the Roman empire spread its wings, the tradition of the olive tree, branches, and oils spread to many other places and cultures.

• Romans cultivated olive trees in memory of their dead loved ones.
• The gift of olive oil was considered a very high compliment. The olive tree was central to the economy of Rome and very expensive. People did not give any part of the olive tree casually.

Biblical References — The olive tree was featured throughout the scriptures.

• In the Bible, there are 25 references to the olive tree and 160 references to olive oil. As in other Medeterrain locations, olive oil was a central part of commerce and culture.
• As in Exodus 29:40, Leviticus 24:2, and Numbers 28:5, olive oil was used in many of the sacred ceremonies and in the temples of biblical times.
• In Deutoromany 8:6–9 and Job 29: 4–6, olive trees and the oil they produced were considered a reward for righteous obedience.
• The greatest known story about an olive branch is in Genesis 8:11 when a dove brought an olive branch to Noah to let him know that the flood waters had receded. God’s wrath had ended and it was safe to come out of the ark.

Do you have any personal stories about olive trees, branches, or oils? Have you ever used the term “extend the olive branch”? Please let us know in the comments!!

References:
http://www.sabor-artesano.com/gb/olive-tree-mythology.htm
https://www.wisegeek.com/what-does-it-mean-to-extend-an-olive-branch.htm
https://www.reference.com/world-view/olive-branch-symbolize
http://www.academia.edu/4050787/Olive_and_Olive_Oil_Culture_in_the_Mediterranean_Basin
http://ww2.odu.edu/~lmusselm/plant/bible/olive.php
https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Olives
photo credit: Torquay Palms Street Olive Tree — Torquay via photopin (license)
photo credit: puigoll. Josep Puighermanal i Lluïsa Valls Parc oliveres mil·lenàries. Traiguera. via photopin (license)