The Olive tree as a symbol

This is completely natural because it has been closely linked to our societies since ancient times.

Sports Symbol

The institution of the Olympic Games began in 776 BC. in ancient Olympia in honor of the god Zeus. In fact, at a time when Greece was disturbed by civil wars, a holy truce was in place so that athletes and pilgrims could arrive safely.

In the beginning the prize of the winners was a sacred apple, but after the oracle of Delphi, the winners had to be crowned with a wreath of "kotino", a wild fertile olive tree. The olive that they used as kotino was called "Kallistefano" and was located in the Holy Grove. A little boy, whose parents both lived, cut 17 branches (later 18) with gold scissors, just like the Olympic sports. No athlete could declare his victory until he was crowned by the Greek judges.

The coronation with the olive branch was of special value because there was a theory that the victors who were crowned with it acquired its divine qualities and were exalted on the same level as the gods. In fact, Zeus, inside the Holy Temple, is represented to bring the same wild olive wreath with the mortal winners.

In addition, the winner was given tons of olive oil in pots as a prize. There are so many different meanings for this particular tree, but for us it symbolizes family heritage and tradition, a legacy that leads us forward to continue the cycle of life.

Symbol of prosperity and wealth

Olive groves and olive groves were considered places of tranquility, self-concentration and prosperity for the human soul. A typical example is the quarrel between Thea Athena and Poseidon over who would be appointed protector of Athens.

According to the legend, once in ancient Greece, the god of the sea, went to Attica and found King Kekropas on the Acropolis to oversee the construction of the new city. She approached him and asked him to offer her the city and for his sake, to name it Poseidonia. "If you do that, your city will become a sea lord," she told him and slammed the trident on the rock.

In the place that hit, a spring was created and salt water sprang up. Then Athena, the goddess of wisdom, appeared and asked for the city to be offered to her and to take her name. "If you do, it will become a city of beauty and knowledge. The arts, letters and sciences will flourish! " she said and immediately struck the rock with her spear and an olive tree, loaded with fruits, sprouted. "This is my gift to the city," he said. Kekropas did not know which gift to choose. So the gods, but also the inhabitants of the city, who wanted to help him, decided that the olive tree was the best gift for the city and for the sake of the goddess Athena, they named it Athens!

Symbol of purification and religious worship

The olive branch has been associated with the Divine since antiquity. As a symbol of the goddess Athena, it was often used in religious ceremonies as a means of purification and hope for the faithful. In some temples it was mandatory to wear an olive wreath to enter.

Symbol of Power and Power

He who owned olive groves or ships made of olive wood was considered superior. Hercules' bat was made of olive wood, symbolizing his bravery and rome, as well as the wood used by Odysseus to blind Cyclops Polyphemus, which symbolized his wisdom and intelligence.

Symbol of Religion and Hope

Olives and olive oil, in addition to their daily nutritional value for humans, also have symbolic purposes. For Christians it reflects "the faith of the righteous" and for the church "the holy fruit". The white dove with an olive branch, an image from the time of Noah, is an eternal symbol of peace and hope for all of us.

The Golden Olympia company based in Ancient Olympia specializes in the production, bottling, standardization and marketing of extra pure virgin olive oil.