Mystical olive oil

Olive trees have a long life and are believed to live 300 to 600 years perhaps even longer. Even when its trunk and branches may die, the olive tree sprouts once again bringing life into a new tree. Today it is estimated that approximately 800 million olive trees thrive on earth with approximately 400 different varieties of olive trees cultivated worldwide. But more impressive than the numbers is the divine air that seems to filter through the branches of these olive trees.

The Mediterranean world has regarded the olive as sacred for thousands of years. In many religions and cultures throughout history, the olive tree has served some purpose and has been a symbol of peace, life, and fertility. Ebla (Syria) 4,000 BC, the first civilization proven to have known olive oil, offered the golden liquid to their gods. Later, the ancient Egyptian credited the Goddess Isis with teaching mankind its cultivation and wisdom. The Pharaohs also used olive oil to aid in building the pyramids. During modern excavations of Egyptian tombs, containers of olive oil were found among the graves. The Greeks believed that Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, bestowed the olive on mankind thereby winning a contest between the Gods for presenting the most useful gift.
 
 

 

 

In Ancient Greece, athletes used olive oil to rub over their bodies. The first Olympic torch was a burning olive branch. The Bible is brimming with references to olive oil, from the parable of the wise and foolish virgins (oil as lamp fuel) to the story of the Good Samaritan (oil as unguent) to the Prophet Elisha's rescue of the destitute widow (oil as item of trade). All in all, the Bible contains 140 references to Olive Oil and the Holly Koran and Hadith mention the value of Olive Oil several times.

In one Hadith, the Prophet Mohamad (saws) was said to have stated that Olive Oil has in it a cure for seventy diseases. Today the king of Saudi Arabia gives it as a traditional gift to pilgrims to Mecca.