Olive Branch Meaning: Why It Became a Universal Symbol of Peace

Olive Branch Meaning: A Symbol That Has Survived for Thousands of Years

Few symbols communicate an idea as quickly as the olive branch.

A simple green branch can represent peace, reconciliation, goodwill, victory, hope, diplomacy, and the desire to end conflict. It appears in religious art, classical literature, political imagery, international organizations, monuments, jewelry, tattoos, logos, and popular culture. Most famously, two olive branches surround the globe on the emblem of the United Nations, where they represent the organization's aspirations for peace and unity. (United Nations)

But why does an olive branch mean peace?

The answer is not found in one single civilization or one isolated historical event. Instead, the symbolism developed through layers of cultural history. Ancient Greek traditions associated the olive branch with peace, supplication, prosperity, and victory. Roman culture continued and transformed some of these associations. Biblical and later Christian traditions connected the olive leaf brought by Noah's dove with the end of the Flood and, eventually, peace. Centuries later, the olive branch was incorporated into modern international symbolism, most notably through the United Nations.

Academic scholarship has noted that the olive branch has represented peace for more than two millennia while continuing to acquire new meanings over time. (Wiley Online Library)

The result is one of the most enduring peace symbols in human history.

What Does an Olive Branch Symbolize?

At its simplest, the olive branch symbolizes peace.

However, its symbolism is broader than the word “peace” alone. Depending on the historical or cultural context, an olive branch can represent:

• Peace after conflict

• Reconciliation

• Forgiveness

• Truce

• Diplomacy

• Goodwill

• Victory

• Hope

• Renewal

• Prosperity

• Harmony

• Nonviolence

• A request for mercy

• The desire to resolve a dispute

This flexibility helps explain why the olive branch has remained relevant for so long.

A symbol becomes powerful when people can understand it without needing a lengthy explanation. The olive branch accomplishes exactly that. Its visual message is uncomplicated: “I come without hostility.”

That message has particular power because the branch is not a weapon. It is something living and productive. It suggests that the objective is not merely to stop fighting but to create conditions in which life can continue.

Why Is the Olive Branch a Symbol of Peace?

The olive branch became associated with peace through several overlapping traditions, especially those of the ancient Mediterranean world.

The earliest important layer is ancient Greece.

In Greek culture, the olive tree had extraordinary practical, economic, religious, and cultural importance. Olive oil was valuable for food, lighting, medicine, athletic competitions, religious rituals, and commerce. The olive tree therefore represented much more than vegetation: it was connected to prosperity, civilization, endurance, and life.

The olive branch also had a specific role in Greek practices of supplication. A person approaching a powerful individual or a sacred place as a suppliant could carry an olive branch as a visible indication of peaceful intent and a request for protection or mercy. (Wikipedia)

That practice is important because it provides a concrete explanation for the branch's later meaning.

Someone carrying an olive branch was effectively signaling:

“I am not approaching you as an enemy.”

Over time, that physical gesture became a broader metaphor for peaceful relations.

The symbolism was reinforced by Greek mythology and by representations of Eirene, the personification of peace. In later Roman culture, Eirene was associated with Pax, and the olive branch became an established attribute of peace imagery. (Wikipedia)

Thus, the olive branch was not randomly selected as a modern peace logo. Its association with peace has deep roots in Mediterranean history.

The Olive Branch in Ancient Greece

To understand the olive branch meaning, it is useful to understand the cultural significance of the olive tree itself.

Ancient Greek civilization depended heavily on the olive.

The tree could survive for generations, produce valuable fruit, and provide oil with numerous uses. Olive cultivation was particularly important in Athens and the wider region of Attica.

Greek mythology even placed the olive tree at the center of the story explaining Athens' patron deity.

According to the traditional myth, Athena and Poseidon competed for the patronage of Attica. Poseidon offered a source of salt water, while Athena produced an olive tree. The olive was judged the more useful gift, and Athena became the city's patron deity. (Wikipedia)

Whether understood as mythology rather than historical fact, the story reveals something significant about how ancient Greeks perceived the olive: it represented a valuable gift capable of sustaining human society.

The olive therefore became associated with civilization, prosperity, protection, and divine favor.

The olive branch and supplication

Another important Greek tradition involved the hiketeria, a branch carried by a suppliant.

A person seeking protection or mercy could approach a person of authority or a sacred sanctuary while holding an olive branch. This visual gesture communicated submission and peaceful intent. (Wikipedia)

This is one reason the olive branch is particularly appropriate as a symbol of reconciliation.

It does not simply say, “peace exists.”

It can also say:

“I am asking for peace.”

That distinction remains relevant today. Extending an olive branch commonly means taking the first step toward reconciliation after disagreement or conflict.

Olive Branch Meaning in Ancient Greek and Roman Culture

The symbolism did not disappear with ancient Greece.

Roman culture inherited and adapted numerous Greek artistic and religious traditions. The olive branch continued to appear in representations associated with peace.

The Roman goddess Pax, associated with peace, was depicted with an olive branch in Roman imperial imagery. The olive branch could therefore communicate the political idea of peace established or maintained by the state. (Wikipedia)

This development is important because it expanded the symbolism from an interpersonal gesture into a political one.

The olive branch could now represent:

• Peace between communities

• Peace between states

• Political stability

• The end of warfare

• Prosperity following conflict

In this sense, the olive branch became a visual shorthand for the condition that exists when warfare gives way to stability.

Roman literature reinforced the association. The Roman poet Virgil used olive imagery in connection with peace in the Aeneid, demonstrating how deeply the symbol had become embedded in classical ideas about diplomacy and conflict. (Wikipedia)

Olive Branch Meaning in the Bible

One of the most famous stories associated with the olive branch appears in Genesis, in the account of Noah and the Flood.

After the Flood, Noah sends a dove from the ark to determine whether the waters have receded. Eventually, the dove returns carrying a freshly plucked olive leaf. Noah understands this as evidence that the waters have diminished and that the earth is becoming habitable again.

The biblical passage itself does not explicitly state that the olive leaf means “peace” in the modern symbolic sense. This is an important distinction.

The original story primarily communicates the end of the Flood and the return of habitable land.

Nevertheless, later religious interpretation helped transform this image into a powerful symbol of peace, reconciliation, and divine mercy.

The imagery is especially compelling because the olive leaf is evidence of life returning after catastrophe.

The sequence is almost universally understandable:

Flood → destruction → receding waters → new vegetation → renewed life.

That narrative naturally lends itself to ideas of hope and restoration.

The Dove and Olive Branch: How Two Symbols Became One

The dove and olive branch are now so closely associated that many people assume they originated together as a single symbol.

Historically, the relationship is more complicated.

The olive branch already possessed peace-related associations in ancient Greek and Roman culture. The dove, meanwhile, had important religious meanings in biblical and Christian traditions.

Early Christians combined these symbolic traditions in art.

The result was an especially powerful visual composition: a dove carrying an olive branch.

Early Christian art used the image in contexts associated with peace, salvation, baptism, death, and spiritual hope. Over time, the combination became one of the most recognizable representations of peace in Western culture. (Wikipedia)

This is a crucial part of the history of the olive branch peace symbol.

The modern image did not emerge from one culture alone. It developed through cultural layering.

Greek and Roman symbolism contributed the olive branch's association with peace. Biblical tradition supplied the story of the dove and olive leaf. Early Christianity combined these elements into a new visual language. Later European art and political culture spread the image further.

Does the Bible Say the Olive Branch Means Peace?

Not exactly.

This is one of the most important points to make when discussing olive branch meaning in the Bible.

Genesis describes the dove returning with an olive leaf after the Flood. The passage indicates that the waters had receded and that vegetation had returned.

The explicit interpretation of the olive branch as a symbol of peace developed later.

Christian thinkers helped establish that interpretation. The fourth-century Latin Vulgate translated the Hebrew expression for an olive leaf in Genesis into language referring to an olive branch. Later Christian writers connected the image with peace. By the fifth century, Augustine explicitly interpreted the olive branch brought by the dove as an indication of perpetual peace. (Wikipedia)

This historical development demonstrates why symbols should not always be treated as if their modern meanings were present unchanged from the beginning.

The image evolved.

The biblical story supplied the raw material: a world recovering from destruction.

Christian interpretation supplied an additional meaning: peace after divine judgment.

Later Western culture generalized that meaning into the modern concept of peace.

Olive Branch Symbolism in Christianity

Christianity played a major role in popularizing the combination of the dove and olive branch.

In early Christian art, the dove could represent the Holy Spirit, while the olive branch could represent peace and the ending of divine wrath. These ideas became intertwined in visual representations.

The symbolism was particularly suitable for Christian funerary art.

Death could be understood not simply as an ending but as a transition toward spiritual peace. Consequently, imagery involving the dove and olive branch could communicate hope for eternal peace.

This helped expand the olive branch's meaning beyond political peace.

It could now represent:

• Spiritual peace

• Reconciliation with God

• Salvation

• Hope after suffering

• Rest after death

• Renewal

• Divine mercy

This broader religious interpretation helped ensure that the symbol remained culturally recognizable long after classical antiquity.

The Olive Branch as a Symbol of Reconciliation

One of the most interesting modern meanings of the olive branch is reconciliation.

To “extend an olive branch” means to make a gesture intended to end hostility or repair a relationship.

This expression works because the symbol contains an implicit narrative.

Two parties have been in conflict.

One party decides that continuing the conflict is undesirable.

That party extends an olive branch.

The gesture does not necessarily mean that every disagreement has disappeared. Instead, it communicates a willingness to negotiate, forgive, compromise, or begin rebuilding trust.

This is why the olive branch can symbolize something more sophisticated than passive peace.

It represents the initiative required to create peace.

In personal relationships, an olive branch might be an apology or an invitation to talk.

In diplomacy, it might be an offer to negotiate.

In politics, it might represent a proposal for cooperation.

In international relations, it can signify a willingness to pursue a ceasefire or peace agreement.

The symbol therefore connects peace with action.

Olive Branch Meaning: Peace, Victory, or Both?

An interesting feature of olive symbolism is that the branch can represent both peace and victory.

At first this may appear contradictory.

How can the same symbol represent winning a conflict and ending one?

The answer lies in ancient Greek traditions.

Olive wreaths were associated with athletic victory, including the ancient Olympic Games. At the same time, olive imagery was connected with peace and prosperity. (Wikipedia)

The symbolism of victory and peace can therefore coexist.

A victory can lead to peace.

Peace can be considered the desired outcome of victory.

A successful negotiation can also be understood as a victory for both sides.

This dual meaning gives the olive branch unusual symbolic flexibility.

It does not necessarily celebrate domination. Instead, it can represent the successful achievement of a desirable outcome without continued violence.

Why the Olive Tree Itself Represents Peace

The symbolism becomes even more understandable when we consider the biological characteristics of the olive tree.

Olive trees are famously long-lived.

Some olive trees can survive for centuries, and certain ancient specimens are traditionally believed to be extraordinarily old. Their longevity makes them natural symbols of continuity.

An olive tree also produces food and oil.

It is therefore associated with cultivation rather than destruction.

A weapon destroys.

An olive tree produces.

A battlefield interrupts agriculture.

An olive grove represents sustained human settlement.

This contrast gives the tree powerful metaphorical value.

The olive tree suggests:

Life instead of destruction.

Cultivation instead of warfare.

Continuity instead of devastation.

Prosperity instead of scarcity.

Future generations instead of immediate conflict.

These associations help explain why the olive branch remains such an effective peace symbol even in societies far removed from ancient Mediterranean culture.

The Olive Branch and the United Nations

The modern international meaning of the olive branch was dramatically reinforced by the United Nations.

The UN emblem consists of a representation of the world surrounded by two olive branches. The organization explicitly identifies the olive branches as symbols of peace, while the globe represents the worldwide scope of the United Nations and its work toward peace. (United Nations)

The emblem was approved by the UN General Assembly on 7 December 1946. The UN flag was subsequently approved on 20 October 1947. (United Nations)

This was an especially consequential choice.

The United Nations emerged from the devastation of World War II, when the international community was attempting to create institutions capable of preventing another global catastrophe.

The olive branch was therefore an ideal visual element.

It carried an ancient meaning while being placed in an unmistakably modern context.

The UN's design effectively says:

Peace belongs to the whole world.

The globe surrounded by olive branches transforms an ancient Mediterranean symbol into an international emblem.

The organization itself describes the emblem and flag as aspirational symbols of peace and unity. (United Nations)

Why the United Nations Chose Olive Branches Instead of Laurel

An interesting detail in the history of the UN emblem is that an early design used laurel branches.

Laurel has historically been associated with victory and achievement.

The designers eventually replaced the laurel with olive branches because the olive was more appropriate for an organization dedicated to international peace. The transition occurred during the development of the emblem in the 1940s. (United Nations)

That distinction is revealing.

Laurel says:

“We have won.”

Olive says:

“We seek peace.”

The difference is subtle but fundamental.

A postwar international organization needed an emblem that did not celebrate conquest. It needed a symbol of cooperation, diplomacy, and peaceful coexistence.

The olive branch fit that purpose exceptionally well.

How the Olive Branch Became a Universal Peace Symbol

Calling the olive branch a “universal” symbol requires some nuance.

No symbol has exactly the same meaning in every culture, and the history of the olive branch is especially rooted in Mediterranean and Western traditions.

However, its modern recognition is remarkably widespread.

Several factors explain its global reach.

1. Ancient roots

The symbol has a history stretching back more than two thousand years. Academic research specifically identifies the olive branch as a long-standing representation of peace whose meaning has evolved over time. (Wiley Online Library)

2. Religious influence

The biblical story of Noah and the later Christian association between the dove, olive branch, and peace gave the symbol enormous cultural reach.

3. Classical art

Greek and Roman representations preserved and transmitted the association between olive branches, peace, supplication, and victory.

4. European artistic tradition

Paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, coins, and political imagery repeatedly used olive branches to represent peaceful intentions.

5. International diplomacy

The adoption of olive branches by the United Nations transformed an ancient symbol into a distinctly global political emblem.

6. Visual simplicity

The branch is easy to draw, recognize, reproduce, and incorporate into logos, flags, seals, monuments, and artwork.

7. Emotional clarity

The image does not require sophisticated knowledge of history to communicate peaceful intent.

These factors reinforced one another.

The olive branch became recognizable precisely because different generations repeatedly gave the symbol new contexts while preserving its central association with peace.

What Does “Extending an Olive Branch” Mean?

The phrase “extend an olive branch” is now common in English.

It means to offer peace, reconciliation, cooperation, or a way to resolve a disagreement.

For example:

After months of disagreement, she decided to extend an olive branch and invite him to discuss the issue.

The phrase can be used in personal, political, diplomatic, and business contexts.

Its power comes from the physical gesture behind the metaphor.

Imagine two people who are hostile toward one another.

One person approaches carrying a branch rather than a weapon.

The visual message is immediately understandable:

“I am approaching peacefully.”

This is why the expression remains effective centuries after the original cultural contexts have changed.

Olive Branch Meaning in Modern Culture

Today, olive branches appear in many forms.

Jewelry

Olive branch necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings often symbolize peace, resilience, harmony, or reconciliation.

Tattoos

An olive branch tattoo may represent peace, personal growth, overcoming adversity, family unity, or a commitment to nonviolence.

Wedding symbolism

Because marriage involves partnership, harmony, and reconciliation, olive branches are sometimes incorporated into wedding stationery, floral arrangements, decorations, and ceremonial designs.

Logos and branding

Organizations associated with humanitarian work, diplomacy, environmental causes, and peace may use olive imagery to communicate trust and harmony.

Art and illustration

Artists frequently use olive branches alongside doves, hearts, clasped hands, or global imagery to represent peace.

Memorials

Because olive trees can live for generations, olive imagery can also symbolize remembrance, continuity, and hope.

The symbol's flexibility is one reason it has remained commercially and culturally relevant.

Olive Branch Symbolism in Different Contexts

The meaning of an olive branch changes slightly depending on how it is used.

This variety demonstrates that symbolism is not static.

The central concept remains peace, but each culture and context adds another layer.

Olive Branch vs. Dove: Which Is the Stronger Symbol of Peace?

The olive branch and dove are often presented together, but they have different histories.

The olive branch has strong roots in ancient Greek and Roman symbolism.

The dove gained much of its modern peace symbolism through Jewish-Christian scripture and early Christian art.

When combined, they create an exceptionally powerful symbol.

The dove suggests gentleness, innocence, and spiritual peace.

The olive branch suggests reconciliation, prosperity, life, and the cessation of conflict.

Together they communicate a complete narrative:

A peaceful messenger arrives carrying evidence of renewal.

That is why the dove carrying an olive branch has become perhaps the most instantly recognizable visual representation of peace in Western culture.

What Does an Olive Branch Mean Spiritually?

From a spiritual perspective, the olive branch can represent hope after suffering.

This interpretation is particularly connected to the story of Noah.

The world has experienced destruction.

The waters recede.

The dove returns.

A living leaf appears.

The message is that life can begin again.

Consequently, an olive branch may symbolize:

• Spiritual renewal

• Divine mercy

• Hope

• Reconciliation

• Forgiveness

• Restoration

• New beginnings

• Faith after hardship

• Inner peace

For people who use olive imagery in religious or spiritual contexts, the symbol can therefore communicate much more than political peace.

It can represent the possibility of rebuilding after a difficult period.

Why an Olive Branch Is More Powerful Than a Generic Peace Symbol

The effectiveness of the olive branch comes partly from its narrative.

A generic geometric symbol can communicate an abstract idea.

The olive branch communicates an idea and a story.

It tells us about conflict and reconciliation.

It suggests that peace follows instability.

It implies that something living can survive destruction.

It carries associations with ancient civilization, religion, diplomacy, agriculture, and international cooperation.

That accumulated history gives the symbol depth.

When someone sees an olive branch, they are not merely seeing a plant.

They are seeing thousands of years of cultural associations.

The Olive Branch as a Symbol of Hope

Peace and hope are closely connected.

Peace is not simply the absence of fighting. In many contexts, it represents the possibility of rebuilding society after violence.

The olive branch captures this idea exceptionally well.

An olive tree is productive.

It takes time to grow.

It can endure difficult environmental conditions.

It produces something valuable for future use.

This makes the tree an appropriate metaphor for sustainable peace.

A ceasefire can stop violence temporarily.

But lasting peace requires cultivation.

It requires patience, cooperation, trust, and investment in the future.

The olive tree provides a natural metaphor for that process.

Is the Olive Branch a Symbol of Peace in Every Culture?

Not necessarily.

It is better to say that the olive branch is widely recognized as a peace symbol, rather than claiming that every culture has always assigned it exactly the same meaning.

Symbols evolve through cultural exchange.

The olive tree itself is native to and historically associated with the Mediterranean region, so its earliest symbolism developed there. Its meanings were later transmitted through Greek, Roman, Jewish, Christian, European, and international traditions.

The United Nations played a major role in making the olive branch an internationally recognizable peace symbol.

This distinction matters because responsible historical writing should avoid turning a complex cultural history into an overly simple claim.

The olive branch is widely recognized today because its symbolism has traveled across cultures—not because every society independently invented the same meaning.

Interesting Facts About the Olive Branch Symbol

Here are several important facts that illustrate the longevity of the symbol.

The symbol is more than 2,000 years old

Academic research describes the olive branch as a representation of peace for more than two millennia. (Wiley Online Library)

It predates modern international organizations

The symbolism existed thousands of years before the establishment of the United Nations.

Ancient Greeks used olive branches in supplication

A person could carry an olive branch when approaching someone with a request for mercy or protection. (Wikipedia)

Romans connected the olive branch with Pax

Roman representations of the personification of peace included the olive branch. (Wikipedia)

Noah's dove became central to Christian peace imagery

The biblical image of a dove returning with an olive leaf was later combined with classical olive symbolism in Christian art. (Wikipedia)

The United Nations uses two olive branches

The UN emblem places two olive branches around a representation of the world to symbolize peace and the organization's global mission. (United Nations)

Laurel was initially considered for the UN emblem

The design was changed from laurel to olive because olive branches better communicated peace rather than victory. (United Nations)

Frequently Asked Questions About Olive Branch Meaning

What is the main meaning of an olive branch?

The primary meaning of an olive branch is peace. It can also represent reconciliation, goodwill, forgiveness, diplomacy, victory, hope, and renewal.

Why does an olive branch symbolize peace?

Its peace symbolism developed particularly through ancient Greek and Roman traditions, where olive branches were associated with peace and supplication. Later biblical and Christian traditions connected the olive branch with the end of the Flood and spiritual peace. (Wikipedia)

What does an olive branch mean in the Bible?

In Genesis, Noah's dove returns with an olive leaf after the Flood, demonstrating that the waters have receded and vegetation has returned. The passage itself does not explicitly define the olive leaf as a peace symbol, but later Christian interpretation connected the image with peace and reconciliation. (Chabad)

What does a dove with an olive branch symbolize?

A dove carrying an olive branch generally symbolizes peace, reconciliation, hope, and the restoration of life after destruction. The combination developed through the interaction of classical olive symbolism with biblical and Christian imagery.

What does it mean to extend an olive branch?

To extend an olive branch means to make a peaceful gesture toward someone after conflict or disagreement. It can involve offering an apology, initiating negotiations, proposing reconciliation, or demonstrating goodwill.

Is an olive branch a symbol of victory?

Yes. In ancient Greek culture, olive wreaths were associated with athletic victory, including the Olympic tradition. At the same time, olive branches represented peace, making the symbolism more complex than a simple “victory” emblem. (Wikipedia)

Why does the United Nations use olive branches?

The United Nations uses olive branches because they are an ancient symbol of peace. The UN emblem places two olive branches around the world to communicate the organization's global pursuit of peace and unity. (United Nations)

Does an olive branch always mean forgiveness?

Not necessarily. Forgiveness is one possible interpretation, particularly when the branch is used as a gesture of reconciliation. More generally, it represents peaceful intentions, goodwill, or the desire to end hostility.

What does an olive branch tattoo mean?

An olive branch tattoo commonly represents peace, resilience, reconciliation, hope, renewal, or overcoming adversity. Its precise meaning depends on the person who chooses the design.

What does an olive branch mean in a relationship?

In a relationship, an olive branch usually represents an attempt to restore harmony after an argument or period of tension. It may symbolize an apology, willingness to communicate, forgiveness, or a desire to rebuild trust.

The Enduring Meaning of the Olive Branch

The history of the olive branch is ultimately a history of transformation.

What began as a plant with enormous practical and cultural importance in the Mediterranean became associated with supplication and peace in ancient Greece. Roman culture preserved and adapted the symbolism. Biblical imagery introduced the powerful story of a dove returning with an olive leaf after catastrophe. Early Christianity combined these traditions into a visual language of peace and spiritual renewal.

Centuries later, modern diplomacy adopted the same image.

The United Nations placed two olive branches around the globe, turning an ancient Mediterranean symbol into a representation of international peace. (United Nations)

That long journey explains why the olive branch remains so powerful.

It represents more than the absence of war.

It represents the possibility of reconciliation.

It represents the moment when hostility gives way to dialogue.

It represents life returning after destruction.

It represents the decision to cultivate rather than destroy.

And perhaps most importantly, it represents the idea that peace is not merely something we hope for—it is something we must actively extend to one another.

The next time you see an olive branch, therefore, its meaning is worth remembering.

It is not simply a leaf on a branch.

It is a cultural message that has traveled across thousands of years:

Choose peace. Offer reconciliation. Protect life. Build for the future.

That is why the olive branch became one of the world's most enduring symbols of peace.

Key Takeaways

• The olive branch meaning is primarily associated with peace, reconciliation, and goodwill.

• Its peace symbolism has deep roots in ancient Greece and Rome.

• Ancient Greek suppliants could carry olive branches when seeking protection or mercy.

• The olive branch became associated with the Greek personification of peace, Eirene, and later with Roman Pax.

• In Genesis, Noah's dove returns with an olive leaf, signaling that the Flood waters have receded and vegetation has returned.

• Early Christian traditions helped connect the dove and olive branch with peace and spiritual renewal.

• The expression “extend an olive branch” means to make a peaceful gesture after conflict.

• The olive branch can symbolize both peace and victory, depending on its historical context.

• The United Nations adopted two olive branches around the globe as a symbol of international peace and unity.

• The symbol remains powerful because it combines ideas of peace, hope, reconciliation, life, and renewal.

Recommended Internal-Link Opportunities

This article can serve as a cornerstone page for related content about:

• Ancient Greek mythology

• Greek goddess Athena

• Eirene and Pax

• Noah and the Flood

• Christian symbolism

• Biblical plants and symbolism

• Ancient Greek symbols

• Symbols of peace

• United Nations symbolism

• Olive tree history

• Mediterranean culture

• Religious symbolism

• Meaning of flowers and plants

Sources and Historical References

The historical discussion in this article is supported principally by the United Nations, academic scholarship published in Peace & Change, and historical references concerning Greek, Roman, biblical, and Christian symbolism.

The United Nations confirms that the olive branches in its emblem symbolize peace and that the emblem was approved in 1946, with the flag adopted in 1947. (United Nations)

The United Nations also records that early emblem concepts used laurel before olive branches were selected as a more appropriate representation of peace. (United Nations)

Academic research by Peggy Rosenthal examines how the olive branch has represented peace for more than two thousand years and how its meaning has evolved over time. (Wiley Online Library)

Historical references concerning Greek supplication, Eirene, Roman Pax, and the development of the dove-and-olive-branch image provide further context for understanding how the symbol acquired its modern meaning. (Wikipedia)