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The Olive Tree – A Gift from the Gods

Athena's sacred olive tree on north side of the Acropolis.

By Xiao Fan

January 23, 2026
6:33 am
Los Angeles, CA

As a symbol of diverse cultures, the olive tree possesses a unique cultural heritage – mythology. The Bible recounts that during the great flood, Noah, who was in the ark, released a dove to determine if the floodwaters had receded. That evening, the dove returned with a freshly plucked olive branch in its beak. Noah then knew that the waters had receded from the earth. Another myth about the olive tree as a symbol of peace tells of a competition between Poseidon, the god of the sea, and Athena, the goddess of wisdom, for the beautiful and precious city of Athens. Each offered a gift to the city’s inhabitants, allowing them to choose their patron deity. Poseidon struck the ground with his trident, and a group of white horses

As a symbol of diverse cultures, the olive tree possesses a unique cultural heritage – mythology.

The Bible recounts that during the great flood, Noah, who was in the ark, released a dove to determine if the floodwaters had receded. That evening, the dove returned with a freshly plucked olive branch in its beak. Noah then knew that the waters had receded from the earth.

Another myth about the olive tree as a symbol of peace tells of a competition between Poseidon, the god of the sea, and Athena, the goddess of wisdom, for the beautiful and precious city of Athens. Each offered a gift to the city’s inhabitants, allowing them to choose their patron deity. Poseidon struck the ground with his trident, and a group of white horses appeared, galloping towards the sea and transforming into surging waves. Athena, however, struck the earth with her spear, scattering lush olive branches amidst the blue waters and white sands, providing shade from the scorching sun. Olive oil was not only delicious but could also be applied to the body to relieve fatigue. The olive tree brought wealth to the people of Athens, so they chose Athena as their patron goddess and named the city Athens, with the olive branch becoming its symbol.

Myths are expressions of people’s aspirations for a better life and products of boundless imagination. One could say that the myths people choose reflect the emotions they wish to express. The olive tree was bestowed by Athena, the goddess of wisdom, not by ordinary people. This alone gives the olive tree a sacred aura; it is a plant imbued with divinity, a deified plant. Considering the origin of the olive tree, it becomes even more astonishing – it was the arbiter of a competition, ending the conflict between two Greek gods. Calling it a symbol of peace is entirely appropriate. The combined efforts of the Greek people and people worldwide have elevated its message of peace to another level – the Olympic spirit. The olive wreath remains the most shining reward for Olympic athletes. Today, our rewards for Olympic athletes include money, houses, and the added value that comes with success (such as increased fame and income from endorsements). However, the influence of the olive wreath has not faded; instead, it has reappeared in a new form. Why is this seemingly contradictory form so readily accepted? The reason lies in its unique, primal, and profound meaning. It is not just a random weed. It embodies the world’s yearning for peace and freedom. And peace and freedom, from ancient times to the present, cannot be replaced by money or other mundane things. In this respect, the olive tree has a more readily acceptable foundation, enduring through the ages.

The meaning of the olive tree is consistent with the Olympic spirit. Before the ancient Olympic Games, people held a solemn torch-lighting ceremony in front of the Temple of Zeus in Olympia. In ancient Greece, “fire” was a gift from the gods, and those holding the torches were messengers of the gods. After lighting the torches at the altar, they ran to various city-states of Greece, shouting and conveying the divine message: “Stop the war, participate in the Olympic Games!” Wherever the torchbearers went, the soldiers would lay down their weapons. The sacred truce began; this was the will of the gods! During the sacred truce, olive branches were hung high on the city gates of each city-state to symbolize peace and sanctity. We can clearly see that the Olympic spirit promotes fraternity and peace. It is surprising that people so easily wage war, yet they also encapsulate it within the framework of “sports.” Instead of simply linearizing thought, why not “simplify” various forms of competitive conflict? I think of an important concept for healthy human life: individual exercise and peace in the larger environment. Perhaps people should live with an “olive tree” spirit, leaving everything to the good, and then slowly moving in that direction.

The olive tree also reflects the ancient Greeks’ views on patriarchy and matriarchy. “The olive tree was a very important crop at the time. The reason why Athena became the patron goddess of Athens is a very important myth. The Athenians at the time believed that olive trees were very important to their lives, even more important than the sea surrounding them, because olive trees could not only be eaten but also used for oil. Women had the right to vote at that time, and they were to vote to decide the patron deity of Athens. There were two competing gods: one was the sea god, and the other was Athena. The result of the vote was that Athena won because women had one more vote. Athena and the sea god offered different bribes to the city of Athens: Athena offered olive trees, and the sea god offered horses. Because women had one more vote, Athena won. It was also for this reason that women were deprived of the right to vote from then on, until after the Second World War. I think this is related to patriarchy, and I think the myth originated in this way.”

Why did the people who narrated these myths have such ideas at the time? I think we can only ask the people involved; otherwise, we wouldn’t know. Leaving this myth aside, from the perspective of social division of labor, there is still a discernible pattern. Everyone knows that in nature, which gender is stronger? Of course, it’s men; this is a very natural phenomenon. Therefore, in ancient Greece, there was the so-called natural law of the strong: whoever is stronger gets more. Even, since you are so capable and he is so incapable, it would be unfair for you to get the same things. Can you say that’s wrong? Not necessarily. Like today, rewards are given according to merit, and different treatment is given according to ability. Considering the difference in physical strength between men and women, such a society is conceivable.

The influence of olive trees on people is reflected not only in their thoughts but also in their lives.

According to a Greek tour guide, Greece produces high-quality olive oil. Although Greeks love to smoke, they have long lifespans, which is largely related to their long-term consumption of olive oil. Perhaps there is no necessary connection between olive oil and longevity, but the affection for olive oil is evident in their words. Olive trees were an important resource in ancient times, guaranteeing people’s healthy lives. In modern Greek law, olive trees are protected, and citizens are not allowed to cut them down indiscriminately. At the same time, olives are a thriving crop in Greece today, and it is well known that Greece is the world’s third-largest producer of olive oil. Besides a portion being exported, Greece has a large domestic consumption of olive oil, and eating olives has become a popular pastime. Today, olive oil production is a major industry. After harvesting, the olives are preserved in a salt solution and then sent to processing plants after several months. The olives are usually sorted by size using machinery, but sometimes women still sort them manually, completing the sorting of a ton of olives in a single day with astonishing speed. After sorting, the olives are disinfected and then quickly canned and shipped.

Olives have subtly permeated people’s thoughts and lives. Olives are not just a commodity, an equivalent of value for a country, but also a quality of life. The more we pursue a high-quality life, the more we pursue inner peace. The olive tree has always been in positive context, and this image maintenance is undoubtedly due to the protection given to it by the Greek people. Isn’t this a great lesson for us in preserving our own traditional culture? Thus, the olive tree has been widely promoted through music, but people’s exploration of the inner meaning of the olive tree has not stopped. A culture interwoven with “peace, freedom,” and “acknowledging one’s roots” is increasingly influencing people’s perceptions.

The olive tree has healthy connotations and extensions; it is harmonious and consistent. It is a living revelation. This applies to both life and living, whether it’s the pursuit of world peace or the relentless pursuit of inner peace, all of which makes people walk more steadily and securely. This is perhaps the greatest gift, the greatest offering, that the olive tree gives us today. From a single small olive tree, I see the vastness of Greek culture, a vastness different from the profound depth of Chinese culture. It is so gentle, nourishing the hearts of people around the world with its subtle, flowing influence and broad reach.