Laurel and the Olive Branch
The national emblem of the State of Israel includes a Menorah, flanked by two olive branches. The Grand Lodge of Scotland Freemasonry uses the same imagery of the olive branch. Just as in Ancient Greece, the laurel and olive is often used interchangeably - and both signify glory, but can also mean victory. The ancient Greek replaced the laurel with olive leaves, and in the dark medieval days, balissic replaced laurel and olive to make the wreath.
It was believed in Greek mythology that Apollo wove a wreath from the branches of a laurel tree and wore the wreath made from the leaves. Apollo was a sun-god and is comparable to Lucifer.
Today, as symbols have often changed meaning, it is most well known as an emblem of peace. Recall the bird which brings a wreath in her bill, and represents the bringing of victory in the peaceful way, and not through combat.
State of Israel
The Grand Lodge of Scotland
The tradition of stamping the laurel wreath on coins has started in the ancient Rome, where emperors were engraved with wreaths on their heads.
After the revolution, even on the paper money, the motif of the leaves was used to represent the success, victory and courage of the people.
Left: The Russian Rubble, 1947, the image of the ruble that was established after the revolution and also after the death of V.Lenin.
The national emblem of the State of Israel includes a Menorah, flanked by two olive branches. The Grand Lodge of Scotland Freemasonry uses the same imagery of the olive branch. Just as in Ancient Greece, the laurel and olive is often used interchangeably - and both signify glory, but can also mean victory. The ancient Greek replaced the laurel with olive leaves, and in the dark medieval days, balissic replaced laurel and olive to make the wreath.
It was believed in Greek mythology that Apollo wove a wreath from the branches of a laurel tree and wore the wreath made from the leaves. Apollo was a sun-god and is comparable to Lucifer.
Today, as symbols have often changed meaning, it is most well known as an emblem of peace. Recall the bird which brings a wreath in her bill, and represents the bringing of victory in the peaceful way, and not through combat.
State of Israel
The Grand Lodge of Scotland
The tradition of stamping the laurel wreath on coins has started in the ancient Rome, where emperors were engraved with wreaths on their heads.
Left: The Russian Rubble, 1947, the image of the ruble that was established after the revolution and also after the death of V.Lenin.
