Olive, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
They are generally short and squat, rarely exceeding fifteen metres in height. The trunks of olive trees are generally twisted and gnarled . The fruit of the olive tree are also called "olives", and are green or black depending on when they are harvested. 80% of olives are used for the production of olive oil. Olives grown for consumption are known as "table olives".
The olive tree is a symbol of friendship and reconciliation, healing and light; an olive branch is a symbol of peace. In the bible there are several references to olive oil being used for annointing, cleansing and healing. Mark 6.13 says:
They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
In the story of Noah's ark, the dove returning with an olive branch is seen as a symbol of new hope for mankind.
Olive oil is also mentioned in the bible as a fuel for lamps, soaking the wicks and giving light. The word "olive" in Greek means "to shine". The Hebrew word for olive tree is "es shemen" which means "tree of oil".
Transcription
Translation
The olive tree, or olive tree, is a symbol of peace. And although the
proprie dicitur arbor olea; ab oleon greco nomine.
Oliva dicitur fructus. Succus; oleum. Cuius fructus diver-
sis nominibus appellatur. Oleum autem quod fit ex
albus olivis; vocatur spanum. Quod ex fulvis et non-
dum maturis (dicitur commune dots underneath) exprimitur; appellatur
viride. Quod vero ex nimium maturis; dicitur 9e.
Ex hiis ad usum vite; primum est. spanum. Secundum viride
Tercium commune. Lucinie vocantur quedam
olive; eoquod optimam dent lucem; Unde et lignum;
lichinus dicitur. idest lumen. quia aptum est flam-
mis et luminibus.
Oeaster est foliis olive similibus. sed latioribus;
arbor inculta atque silvestris. amara et infructuosa.
Cui insertus ramus olive; mutat vim radicis. et ver-
tit eam in propriam qualitatem. Lacrima oleastri
arboris; duplex. Alia enim gummi similat sine ullo
qualitatis morsu. alia ammoniaci guttam ex distitia-
tionem(m has dot under) collectam ac remordentem;
Salix dicta; quod celeriter saliat id est crescat. arbor
dicunt esse. naturam. ut si quis illud in poculo hau-
serit; liberis careat. set et feminas infecundas
efficit. Mollis est. materies et blank(ad added above) sculturam apta.
name olive is taken in a mixed way in the scriptures, yet it is properly called the olive tree; from the Greek name oleon.
The olive is called a fruit. Juice, oil. The fruit of which is called by different names. And the oil which is made from white olives; it is called spanum. That which is said to be yellow and not yet ripe is commonly expressed; it is called green. But it is said that they are too ripe.
Avoid using these; the first is the spanum. According to the third common green. Lucinia is called a certain olive; for that they give the best light. Hence the wood; it is called lichinus, that is, light, because it is suitable for flames and lights.
Oester has olive-like leaves. but with wider ones; an uncultivated and wild tree, bitter and fruitless.
To which an olive branch was inserted; it changes the power of the root, and turns it into its proper quality. The tears of the olive tree; double. For some resemble gum without any bite of quality, others a drop of ammonia collected from distition and repulsive.