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Divine liquid with a long tradition
The origins and history of the olive tree (Olea europae), as well as that of olive oil production, go back thousands of years. Thus, the Old Testament mentions a sea-faring people, the Philistines, which produced large volumes of olive oil as long ago as 1200 BC.
For this reason there are now many myths and traditions associated with the olive tree and its fruit. Thus the olive tree is regarded as a tree which symbolises closeness to God and divine wisdom. In Mediterranean countries olive trees were often planted close to churches therefore, and in ancient times olive oil was considered to be a gift from the goddess Athena. Damaging olive trees or adulterating olive oil was also regarded as blasphemy and severely punished. Owning an olive tree, in contrast was regarded as a sign of wealth.
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