According to ancient data the olive comes from the Mesopotamian region and expanded to Europe through Phoenicians and Greeks.This tree from its origin has had a close relationship with the sacred, mythological and even magical world since the Egyptians attributed to the Goddess Isis the merit of teaching how to cultivate; In the same way, olive tree oil was used to light temples, perfume baths, make cosmetics and to make crowns for mummies.
The olive tree in the world
On the other hand, ancient data also indicate that in Greece the cultivation of olive trees and the use of olive oil in Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, Israel and Asia Minor was developed before their entry into Europe.As in Egypt, the data indicate that in Greece the olive tree was considered a sacred tree and of fertility, as a result women slept on their leaves when they longed to father. Likewise, the athletes who won in the Olympics were smeared with oil and a crown of olive trees for being victorious.
Years of history
It must be taken into account that the origins of the olive tree date back more than 4,000 years, since some argue that in Greece there is an olive tree with more than two thousand years. On the other hand, some people argue that in Croatia there is a copy of sixteen hundred years that produces more than thirty kilograms a year.It is important to know that this tree is also associated or included in passages of the Bible, as is the case of the story of Noah’s Ark where it is related that a dove takes an olive branch to the boat, an image that prevails today as the symbol of peace and life. The olive tree is currently used for therapeutic and gastronomic applications.
