Why is olive wreath a symbol of peace?
The use of the olive branch as a symbol of peace in Western civilisation dates back to at least 5th century BC Greece. The ancient Greeks believed that olive branches represented plenty and drove away evil spirits and an olive branch was one of the attributes of Eirene, the Greek goddess of peace.
Ever wonder what the phrase “extending the olive branch” means? It is an offer of peace and extends back to biblical times, the ancient Romans and Greek mythology. A dove brought back an olive branch to Noah to signal the flood had ended. In ancient Rome the defeated used to hold up an olive branch for peace.
Winners of the Olympic Games, which were first held in 776 BCE and occurred every four years, were awarded a wreath made of olive leaves. These wreaths were known as kotinos and were said to have been gathered from the sacred wild olive tree in Olympia.
The olive branch is a symbol of peace and victory associated with customs of ancient Greece and connected with supplication to gods and persons in power. It is found in most cultures of the Mediterranean basin and became associated with peace in the modern world.
Together, the circular shape and the evergreen material make the wreath a representation of eternal life. It is also a representation of faith, as Christians in Europe often placed a candle on the wreath during Advent to symbolize the light that Jesus brought into the world.
Hung on the door or a window, the wreath has been viewed as an invitation to the spirit of Christmas to enter the home and bring luck, suggesting as well that the Christmas spirit dwells within.
The New Testament uses olive trees to help illustrate God's pan of salvation. In Rom. 11:11-24, Paul describes Christians as either natural olive branches (those of Jewish background), or olive branches that have been grafted onto Jesus (Gentiles).
MORAL: ONE CAN SURVIVE FROM LEARNING TO ADJUST HARMONIOUSLY WITH THE ENVIRONMENT.
Leaf Symbolism in Christianity
In Christian religions, leaves are often symbols of hope amid hardship. There are many instances of leaf symbolism in the bible where God gifts prophets and chosen individuals with leaves as symbols of peace, love, and hope.
The evergreen wreath - its circular shape an emblem not only of perfection and unity but also of the warm, enduring sun - later became a Christian symbol for Christ's suffering and ultimate triumph over death.
What is the symbol of calmness?
What does a peace sign mean to you? A symbol of several significant moments in history, and still significant today, the peace sign represents many things: calmness, feeling grounded or rational thinking.
The Olive as a symbol of Peace
Noah spent forty days and forty nights in his ark following terrible floods. As the water became calmer, he sent out a dove and it returned with an olive branch. By this sign he knew that there was land again. The dove and olive branch became a symbol of hope.
A laurel wreath is made of branches and leaves of the laurel, a type of evergreen shrub or small tree. In Ancient Rome, it was worn on the head as a symbol of triumph. The symbol of the laurel wreath is from Greek mythology. The Romans adopted the symbol because they admired Greek culture.
The olive wreath, also known as kotinos (Greek: κότινος), was the prize for the winner at the ancient Olympic Games. It was a branch of the wild olive tree Kallistefanos Elea (also referred to as Elaia Kallistephanos) that grew at Olympia, intertwined to form a circle or a horse-shoe.
The Della Robbia wreath program was introduced originally by Boys Republic founder Margaret B. Fowler to serve as a work experience vehicle for students of the non-profit school. The wreaths were patterned after a centuries-old ceramic design created by the Della Robbia family of Florence, Italy.
A leader's headwear
The Roman general Julius Caesar wore a wreath of laurel on the head to show that he was a powerful and strong leader. Just as the ancient Greeks and the Etruscans before them, the ancient Romans associated the laurel wreath with victory and success.
