How the olive tree became a symbol of peace

Have you heard the phrase “extending an olive branch”? It means making a peace-offer to end hostilities. This is because the olive has long been a symbol of peace in many western cultures. In fact, if you look closely at the flag of the United Nations, you will notice that the world is held in the gentle embrace of two olive branches.

The UN flag.
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Myths

But how did the olive come to represent peace? According to Greek mythology, there was once a competition between Poseidon, the god of the sea, and Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Each offered a gift to the people of a new city. Poseidon struck a rock with his trident and created a salty spring. Some versions say he offered the people a horse. Athena in turn, planted an olive tree. Her gift promised food, oil, shade, and fuel. The people chose Athena’s gift and, after she won the contest, the city was named Athens in her honour. From then on, olive wreaths were placed on the heads of champions at the Olympic Games, symbolising victory, wisdom, and peace.

The Old Testament tells a famous story involving an olive branch. After the great flood, Noah released a dove from his ark. When the bird returned carrying an olive branch, Noah knew that land was near. From that time on, the dove and the olive branch have stood for peace, forgiveness, and new beginnings.

The olive appears again in the New Testament, in the Garden of Gethsemane, which means “the garden of the olive press”. It was among these trees that Jesus prayed before his arrest, linking the olive once more with strength, faith, and endurance.

An olive tree in Greece
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Native to the Middle East and the Mediterranean, olive trees can live for hundreds of years. Even when cut down, they grow again from new shoots, a living reminder of renewal and resilience.

That’s why, on the UN flag, the world rests between two olive branches which has become a symbol of humanity’s hope that, no matter how many times conflict cuts us down, we can always grow back towards peace.