Olive branch

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For the city, see Olive Branch, Mississippi.

In Western culture, the olive branch, apart from its literal meaning as a branch of an olive tree, symbolizes peace or goodwill. This meaning is derived from the customs of Ancient Greece, but the original specific link between olive branches and peace is unknown. Some explanations center around the idea that olive trees take a very long time to bear fruit. Thus the cultivation of olives is something that is generally impossible in time of war.

Ancient Greece and Rome

In Greek mythology, Zeus bestowed the newly created city of Athens to the god providing the most useful gift to humanity. Poseidon offered a war chariot with a fully equipped war horse. Athena offered the olive tree. Olive wreaths were worn by brides and awarded to olympic victors.

The symbolism of the olive branch was carried on to Ancient Rome, where a defeated army would carry olive branches as a gesture of peace.

Judaism and Christianity

In the Judaeo-Christian tradition, a white dove carrying an olive branch is also a sign for peace. This comes from the Book of Genesis in the Hebrew Bible, in which a dove was released by Noah after the Great Flood in order to find land. The dove came back carrying an olive leaf in its beak, which informed Noah that God had taken mercy on humanity and caused the flood to recede: God then caused a rainbow to appear in the skyas a symbol of his covenant with mankind never to destroy the earth by water again.

This story has led to both the dove and the olive branch (combined with the classical tradition) to become symbols of peace. The rainbow may also represent peace, whereby God directs His "bow" toward Himself, an ancient symbol of a cessation of hostilities. The motif can also represent "hope for peace" or a peace offering from one man to another, as in the phrase "extend an olive branch".

Modern usage

Olive branches are used throughout modern and classical works to represent peace. The eagle on the Great Seal of the United States grasps with its right talon an olive branch containing 13 olives and leaves, while the flags of many nations and the seal of the United Nations feature olive branches in their design. Images of olive branches are also used in many police patches and badges across the world to signify peace.

Other uses

Several towns have been named Olive Branch as a symbol of peaceful living, such as Olive Branch, Mississippi.

References