All the way back to the first Olympic Games in ancient Greece the winners would be awarded with a olive wreath symbolizing victory, wisdom, peace, and honor. It was said to have been made from the sacred olive tree of Olympia which was a gift from the greek goddess Athena. Athena and poseidon had a competition to see who would be the god or goddess of the city of Athens. Poseidon had struck the ground with his trident creating a saltwater spring to burst out ground to symbolize his strength and power but Athena gifted this olive tree to the greeks as a more valuable gift compared to the saltwater spring poseidon had gifted them. Athena’s gift of the olive tree provided food, oil, and wood for cooking and building. Due to its more practical uses the greeks of this city state chose Athena's gift making her the goddess of the city and naming the city after her. Today it is common amongst greeks to e given an olive branch dipped in gold as a gift to congratulate accomplishments in life, big or small, or really important events in someone’s life. A Lot of these branches pass down from family to family over time and the oldest ones we have are at grandparents houses in Greece. The branch connects to me and my family showing pride hardwork and respect to our culture. It shows how being an American is about being hardworking, and striving for peace freedom and honor while still taking pride of our own culture and our personal traditions. 

– A

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant