Monday, April 02, 2007

My 9th Manic Monday

This Week's Theme: Branch


Wikipedia defines olive branch: "Olive branch is a colloquial term referring to a concession or a gesture of peace, as well as a peace symbol. Deriving from its origins in Ancient Greece as a symbol of peace and prosperity, the olive branch is used throughout many western cultures to convey the idea of peace. In Ancient Rome, the defeated carried olive branches in order to seek peace. There is some speculations as to why the olive branch came to symbolize peace. Some explanations center around the idea that olive trees take a very long time to bear fruit. Thus the cultivation of olives is something that is generally impossible in time of war."
The Eagle of The Great Seal of the US features an eagle with an
olive branch in it's talons.
There is a town called Olive Branch, Mississippi.

If you are playing along with Morgen's Manic Monday Meme please don't forget to sign Mr Linky. If you're not...whaddya waitin' for?!?! Go to the MM Headquarters and get on board!!!

17 comments, add yours here:

Gattina said...

Wow ! I didn't know that ! I think I become more intelligent every day thanks to blogging ! Soon I will be the second Wikipedia !

Lisa Ryan said...

Excellent post! I didn't think of the proverbial olive branch.

Unknown said...

Great take on the theme

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

well now i learned something this morning, thanks honey!

smiles, bee

Mags said...

I love an informative blog. Thanks for feeding my brain!

Stine said...

Very good - you helped me achieve one of my goals today!

Mo and The Purries said...

I think it's ironic that the eagle has an olive branch in one talon and a bunch of arrows in the other.
Clearly, I think we need to utilize the olive branch more often!
Thanks for being a MM regular!
cheers,
Manic Mo

Danielle said...

Olive branches were also seen as symbols of the cosmic center, as seen in the Odyssey.

I did my first Manic Monday post today.

Best wishes

Barb said...

Didn't the dove(?) bring back an olive branch to Noah? I may be wrong lol

Sandee said...

Great job and some of this I didn't know. Guess that's the point here...broaden the mind.

Anonymous said...

Excellent Branch. I like the olive branch. I think we need to use it more. I read the "Whew" post. I thought you where going to do branch... IRS...

Foofa said...

I never thought of olives taking too long to grow for them to be viable during wartime. That is great information.

Unknown said...

YAY! I learnt something new =) - great post!

Amazing Gracie said...

It's amazing how everyone puts so much thought into these!!! I just love it! And some people think blogging is just a waste of time...You did good!
~~~Blessings~~~

Liz Hill said...

Thanks for such a cool MM post! Always good to have these reminders.

Neila said...

A great post for peace! I have never actually seen an olive tree. Do those grown anywhere in the US?

Travis Cody said...

The eagle in the seal appears to be facing the wrong way. I've read that in time of war, the eagle faces toward the arrows.

Personally, I prefer the eagle to face the olive branch.