Unfortunately due to time constraints (hate this argument by the way) I am not able to write about all seasonal fruits and vegetables in Azerbaijan but at least I have to mention the ones which my family is passionate about...meaning if saffron is my father’s passion then olives are passion of my father-in-law.
This year when I was helping to gather the harvest (not that I am a perfect tree climber but challenged myself as the best ones are of course at the very top) and was thinking what I am going to write about olives a thought came to my mind...Olive tree is not the best looking tree to my opinion...I was thinking that as if the tree is trying to get attention by not its looks but by its beautiful olives...(against the proverb that people meet others by their appearance not by their content if you know what I mean) also part of the tree that receives more sunshine offers bigger juicer olives...just like people longing for warm words trees also look for better and warmer sunshine...interesting...harvest always amazes me as a miracle of nature and makes me philosophical you see :) thus sharing with you...This year harvest was very good too and actually my father-in-law already prepared them for us and not only to enjoy and benefit. Grateful to him...and nature of course...
My earlier post on olives can be found here.
This year when I was helping to gather the harvest (not that I am a perfect tree climber but challenged myself as the best ones are of course at the very top) and was thinking what I am going to write about olives a thought came to my mind...Olive tree is not the best looking tree to my opinion...I was thinking that as if the tree is trying to get attention by not its looks but by its beautiful olives...(against the proverb that people meet others by their appearance not by their content if you know what I mean) also part of the tree that receives more sunshine offers bigger juicer olives...just like people longing for warm words trees also look for better and warmer sunshine...interesting...harvest always amazes me as a miracle of nature and makes me philosophical you see :) thus sharing with you...This year harvest was very good too and actually my father-in-law already prepared them for us and not only to enjoy and benefit. Grateful to him...and nature of course...
My earlier post on olives can be found here.
best ones at the top 
all very colourful and pretty
best ones
shiny...aren't they beautiful...
dropped the bucket when taking another photo, decided to photo this too before gathering olives back to the bucket :)
2 comments:
Thank You, dear Ayten, for another great and inspiring and pleasant article about the harvest of olives in Your country!!! Great to hear that You had a good harvest!
Now some very few further thoughts concerning the meaning or historic/cultural/religious background of olives and the olive tree:
from wikipedia:
"Over the years, the olive has been the symbol of peace, wisdom, glory, fertility, power and pureness. The olive tree and olives are mentioned over 30 times in the Bible, in both the New and Old Testaments. It is one of the f...irst plants mentioned in the Bible, and one of the most significant. For example, it was an olive leaf that a dove brought back to Noah to demonstrate that the flood was over. The Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem is mentioned several times. The Allegory of the Olive Tree in chapter 5 of the Book of Jacob in the Book of Mormon, refers to the scattering and gathering of Israel. It compares the Israelites and gentiles to tame and wild olive trees. The olive tree itself, as well as olive oil and olives, play an important role in the Bible.[13]
The olive tree and olive oil are mentioned seven times in the Quran, and the olive is praised as a precious fruit. In Chapter 24 Al-Nur: "Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The metaphor of His Light is that of a niche in which is a lamp, the lamp inside a glass, the glass like a brilliant star, lit from a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the east nor of the west, its oil all but giving off light even if no fire touches it. Light upon Light. Allah guides to His Light whoever He wills and Allah makes metaphors for mankind and Allah has knowledge of all things." (Quran, 24:35). Olive tree and olive oil health benefits have been propounded in Prophetic medicine. The Prophet Mohamed is reported to have said: "Take oil of olive and massage with it - it is a blessed tree" (Sunan al-Darimi, 69:103)."
And once I`ve noticed that the origin of the Jewish Menorah was an Olive tree!
Some Christian monasteries are named after the Olive tree "Oliva", in different countries...
and in heraldry:
olive trees:
http://wapedia.mobi/commons/Category:Olives_in_heraldry
http://wapedia.mobi/commons/Category%3AOlives_in_heraldry?p=1
http://wapedia.mobi/commons/Category%3AOlives_in_heraldry?p=2
...http://wapedia.mobi/commons/Category%3AOlives_in_heraldry?p=3
http://wapedia.mobi/commons/Category%3AOlives_in_heraldry?p=4
http://wapedia.mobi/commons/Category%3AOlives_in_heraldry?p=5
http://wapedia.mobi/commons/Category%3AOlives_in_heraldry?p=5
Matthias, thank you so much for all the knowledge and support!!! Can't thank enough!! Best wishes from Baku!!
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