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According to ancient Greek history, Poseidon, god of the sea and Athena, goddess of peace and wisdom, quarreled over whose name would be given to the newly built city, in the land of Attica. To settle this dispute, it was decided that the city would be named after the one who offers the most precious gift to the citizens.
Poseidon struck his trident on a rock and salt water began to flow. Athena struck her spear on the ground turning it into an olive tree. It was decided that the olive tree was more valuable to the people of Attica, hence the new city was named “ATHENA” in her honor.
The history of the olive tree has it today marking the culture of this part of the world and symbolizes several important attributes
- Symbol of longevity and hope: the olive tree is considered to be eternal
- Symbol of victory: the olive tree is a present loaded with gratifying meaning. During the Olympic games in Athens, an olive wreath was used to crown the Olympic champions
- Symbol of strength: the olive tree is appreciated for its compact, heavy and hard wood. It is from olive tree wood that Hercules’ shields were made, and it is with the wooden picket from an olive tree that Ulysses brought down the Cyclops in the Odyssey
- Symbol of peace and reconciliation: the branch of the olive tree is chosen by God to show Noah that the flood is over and that the time of forgiveness has begun
